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Los Angeles Dodgers The star Shohei Ohtani His former interpreter wants him to hand over millions of dollars worth of baseball cards that he says were fraudulently purchased using his money.
Ohtani is also asking Epi Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from an unsuspecting player, for a signed baseball cap depicting Ohtani, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Return the ball cards that were in Mizuhara’s “unauthorized and wrongful possession.” .
Legal filings allege that Mizuhara gained access to Ohtani’s bank account around November 2021, changing its security protocols to impersonate it to allow wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used the money to buy $325,000 worth of baseball cards on online resellers eBay and Whatnot, according to court documents.
Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Friedman, declined to comment on the filing.
Mizuhara Pleaded guilty in June. Millions were siphoned from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his mounting gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as his own medical bills and $325,000 worth of baseball cards.
Mizuhara was charged in January with one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, felonies that carry a potential sentence of more than 30 years in federal prison. He may also be willing to pay Ohtani restitution that could be as much as $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. And as a legal permanent resident with a green card, he could be deported to Japan.
From serving as his catcher during the home run derby in the 2021 All-Star Game to winning his two American League MVPs and his record-breaking $700 million salary, Mizuhara has many career highlights for the Japanese sensation. Stands with Ohtani. 10-year contract with the Dodgers.
Off the field, Mizuhara became Ohtani’s friend and confidant. But Mizuhara blew it all, betting tens of millions of dollars that weren’t meant for him on international football, NBA, NFL and college football games — though prosecutors said he never bet on baseball. Did not apply.
Last month, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and the baseball star got his win. 3rd Most Valuable Player Award last thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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