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Shohei Okhtani Former interpreter, Ippi Mizuhar, sent a letter to Judge John W. Holcomb, seeking a slight sentence and stating the reasons for his gambling problems.
Mizuhar committed Bank fraud and tax fraud because he stole almost $ 17 million with a dollar money to pay gambling debts.
Federal prosecutors have requested a 57 -month prison sentence, while Mizuhara also asked to pay $ 16.9 million in damages to Oktani and another $ 1.1 million to the Tax Administration.
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Los Angeles Dodgers determined the striker of Shohei Okhtani (17) with the translator of Ippi Mizura against Chicago White Sox during spring training baseball matches at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. (Mark J. Rebilus-Usa Today Sports)
Mizuhara sought a sentence of 18 months in prison, and revealed factors in his life that tilted him for a gambling, in his letter he received The athletic.
Mizuhara said he had sacrificed his life and the lives of his family since he became Ohtani’s translator/manager at the end of 2017.
“Usually, when the Japanese baseball player moves to the United States, he would bring more staff members who would take care of various tasks, such as the driver, coach, chef, translator/member of support from the field, etc. However, I was the only one The person who brought Shohei, “Mizuhar said in a letter.
“So, naturally, I had to support him in most of the tasks above. I drove him everywhere he was supposed to be, often went into grocery procurement, doing random jobs whenever he needed, so I felt like I was on duty 24 / 7. “
IPPEI Mizuhar, translator for Los Angeles Dodgers appointed striker Shohei Ohhtani, during the introductory press conference at the Dodger Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Usa Today Sports)
Mizuhara said busy baseball scheduleCombined with an international time difference in business with the Ohhtani managerial team in Japan, she would keep him awake to late into the night on the phone, causing him to lose sleep.
Mizuhara said that out -season was more difficult than the baseball season because of the Ohhtani demanding schedule.
“The off-season was much harder both physically and mentally. Shohei would train 5-6 times a week, and I was responsible for booking an object, setting up and cleaning all the equipment for exercise, recording and monitoring all his exercises, his training partner (training ( because they were only he and I during all out-of-season training), driving it back and forth, and communicating it all back angels and his personal persons for throwing/striking/rehabilitation in the United States. “
“I would also do everyday jobs such as buying food, checking his mailbox, repairing his bike, followed him when he returned to Iwate’s prefecture to visit his family, I would lead his dog veterinarian and timer, leave and take over his dinner with peers While waiting in the car, helping the coordination of Japanese and American lawyers for his pre -marital marriage and attending meetings, etc. “
In addition to these tasks, Mizuhar said he was responsible for communicating with support companies and brokered companies to set Okani commercial recording. These recording were once a week between training off -season training, leaving Mizuhar with a little free time.
The Los Angeles player Dodgers Shohei Okhtani (right) and translator IPPEI Mizuhar attend the match between Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Sainta at Sofi Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Usa Today Sports)
With all the work he was doing for Okhtani, Mizuhar said he was feeling seriously resistant. Mizuhar said Angels paid him $ 85,000 in 2018, $ 87,000 from 2019 to 2021, $ 99,611.16 2022 and $ 250,000 2023; but Ohhhtani paid him about $ 11,000 a year.
“I felt like I was seriously paid, but I was afraid to speak on my own behalf, since I had a one -year contract every year, and I did not want to upset them and risk them to dismiss me,” Mizuhar said.
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The Los Angeles player Dodgers Shohei Ohhtani (left) and translator Ippi Mizuhar (right) poses with Los Angeles Rams Rampage (in the middle) at Sofi Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Usa Today Sports)
Another challenge for Ohhtani was that Mizuhar had to live near Okhtani, which meant he had to pay a higher rent to have an apartment near him.
“All these additional costs were taking my big toll and I lived from salary to salary. There were months when I had to borrow money from my family and friends to make ends meet.”
Mizuhara said he had the opportunity to help herself financially, “such as writing books, giving TV/radio interviews and appearing in TV commercials, which would help me financially, but Shohei and his company in Japan closed them all.”
With the salary, the high demands of his job and the inability to make money on the side, Mizuhar said he thought gambling could be an opportunity to help herself financially.
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A certain striker Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohhtani talks to the translator of Ippi Mizuhar in the Duel against San Francisco Giants during spring training baseball matches at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. (Mark J. Rebilus-Usa Today Sports)
“Before I realized, my gambling debt grew so much that I couldn’t find any way to pay it except using Shohei’s money,” Mizuhar said. “I felt terribly guilty of getting his money, but at that moment it seemed like the only solution.”
Mizuhar can now only hope that Judge Holcomb will find some understanding for him in his judgment, with his side of the story that is now visible.
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