Judge orders ex
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s former longtime interpreter agreed Friday to undergo court-ordered gambling addiction treatment after federal prosecutors accused him of stealing $16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Ippei Mizuhara ‘s initial appearance in federal court marked the first time the interpreter has been seen in public since the scandal exploded last month.
Fom the field at Dodgers Stadium hours after Friday’s proceeding, Ohtani said he was “very grateful” for the investigation and would focus on baseball going forward.
Mizuhara exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to plunder millions from the two-way player’s account for years, at times impersonating Ohtani to bankers, prosecutors said.
He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of one count of bank fraud.