Audio of Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, calling a bank and pretending to be the Los Angeles Dodgers star has been released following the latter’s guilty plea.
Ohtani has owned up to charges after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani, pleading guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return, with his sentencing scheduled for February 6.
The Athletic obtained audio released by federal prosecutors this week in which Mizuhara can be heard trying to get a $200,000 wire from one of Ohtani’s accounts. The recording was kept by a bank and was filed as evidence to show that Mizuhara had repeatedly called the institution to arrange wire transfers.
He was able to circumvent security measures by routing Ohtani’s online account information to his own email and phone number.
In the clip below, the interpreter is heard identifying himself as “Shohei Ohtani.” He is then asked to read out a six-digit number sent to the phone number linked to the account, which matches his personal cell, as part of a two-factor authentication process.
“Now recently, we’ve come across a trend of fraud and scams, so we have been monitoring the online transactions closely to make sure our clients are not the victim of either,” the bank representative says. “What is the reason for this transaction?”
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“Yes, many times,” he responds after being asked whether he’s met his friend in person. Asked whether there would be future wires to that friend, he replies “Uh, possibly.”
Ippei Mizuhara Faces A Lengthy Prison Sentence
According to The Athletic, the audio was edited to redact the names of the bank in question and an “unindicted co-conspirator.”
Prosecutors have asked for restitution of close to $17 million to Ohtani and another $1 million to the IRS, though the filing notes that Mizuhara cannot repay Ohtani.
Mizuhara, who cited a gambling addiction and debt of $40.7 million in a plea for a lighter sentence, said both he and his wife are unable to work because of the case, while his mother had to quit her job as a nurse. He also claimed he was fired from Uber Eats after his photo was released.
Prosecutors have requested a 57-month sentence for the disgraced interpreter.
Also Read: Leaked Text Messages Expose Shocking Admission From Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara
