Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of MLB star Shohei Ohtani, agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges. The news was announced Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department.
Mizuhara illegally transferred nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank to pay off sports betting debts from an illegal gambling operation. Mizuhara also signed a false tax return, and he’s expected to enter into his guilty plea in the near future. Mizuhara’s arraignment is scheduled for May 14.
“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada in a press release. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.”
Mizuhara will plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum federal prison sentence of 30 years, while the tax return charge can carry a three-year prison sentence.
The news of Mizuhara entering a plea deal isn’t surprising, as reports surfaced last month that he was negotiating a deal with federal prosecutors.
“Real Housewives” connection 5m3i2k
the illegal bookmaker associated with Mizuhara’s wagering.
According to ESPN’s report, Boyajian “received immunity in the investigation in return for his testimony.”
Mizuhara fell into a gambling debt in the early portion of this decade when wagering through Bowyer. Mizuhara, who helped Ohtani open bank s and had access to s and information, transferred funds belonging to Ohtani to cover gambling losses. Mizuhara even impersonated Ohtani to bank employees on 24 occasions, according to the Justice Department’s press release.
Ryan Boyajian, a cast member of Bravo's reality TV series "The Real Housewives of Orange County," is the bookmaker's associate to whom Ippei Mizuhara wired money to pay his gambling debts, multiple sources with knowledge of the investigation told ESPN. https://t.co/Oy6EasG9rV
— Tisha Thompson (@TishaESPN) May 8, 2024
In 2019, Bowyer sent a message to a bettor that he owed a gambling debt of approximately $15,972. Bowyer, in turn, instructed the bettor to wire the funds to an of an acquaintance, described in court records as “Associate 1.” Boyajian, according to ESPN, transferred some of Mizuhara’s losses to marker s at Resorts World Las Vegas and Pechanga Resort Casino in California.
The individual named in the complaint as “Associate 1,” is Boyajian, ESPN reported Wednesday. A reputed VIP whale player in Vegas sports betting circles, Bowyer is one of the nation’s largest illegal bookmakers, multiple sources told Sports Handle last month.
“Mr. Mizuhara exploited his relationship with Mr. Ohtani to bankroll his own irresponsibility,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS criminal investigation, Los Angeles field office, via press release. “In cases where we are able to identify them, we make every effort to make things right for victims, and this is one of those cases.”
