Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter and de facto personal assistant to baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, has pleaded with a federal judge for leniency in his sentencing for bank and tax fraud. Mizuhara, facing a potential 57-month prison term and over $18 million in restitution, confessed to misappropriating nearly $17 million of Ohtani’s funds to cover spiraling gambling debts. In a letter to Judge John W. Holcomb, obtained by The Athletic, Mizuhara detailed the extraordinary pressures and financial strain he experienced while managing virtually every aspect of Ohtani’s life, both professional and personal. He argues these circumstances, coupled with feelings of being undervalued and exploited, drove him to desperate measures.
Mizuhara’s letter paints a picture of a man overwhelmed by the sheer scope of his responsibilities. Unlike other Japanese baseball players transitioning to the American league, Ohtani arrived with minimal support staff, leaving Mizuhara to shoulder a staggering workload. He acted as driver, trainer, errand runner, grocery shopper, and even dog walker, operating on a 24/7 basis. The relentless demands of the baseball season, compounded by the need to coordinate with Ohtani’s management team in Japan across time zones, led to chronic sleep deprivation. Even the offseason offered little respite, as Mizuhara was tasked with organizing and facilitating Ohtani’s rigorous training regime, further blurring the lines between professional and personal life.
The financial burden of supporting Ohtani’s lifestyle also weighed heavily on Mizuhara. Forced to live near Ohtani to maintain immediate availability, he incurred high living expenses in Southern California. While his salary from the Angels gradually increased over the years, from $85,000 in 2018 to $250,000 in 2023, he claims Ohtani only paid him approximately $11,000 annually. This perceived underpayment, combined with the prohibition against pursuing additional income opportunities like book deals and media appearances, allegedly at the behest of Ohtani and his Japanese management company, created a deep sense of financial insecurity. Mizuhara contends he often resorted to borrowing money from family and friends just to make ends meet.
Mizuhara’s narrative portrays a man trapped in a cycle of escalating pressure. Feeling overworked, underpaid, and unable to leverage his unique position for personal gain, he turned to gambling as a potential escape from his financial woes. He claims that his initial intentions were to supplement his income, but the addictive nature of gambling quickly spiralled out of control. As his debts mounted, he felt increasingly desperate, ultimately leading him to embezzle Ohtani’s funds, an act he now expresses deep remorse for. He maintains that he saw no other way out of his financial predicament.
Mizuhara’s defense hinges on the argument that his actions, while undeniably criminal, were a direct consequence of the extraordinary circumstances he faced. He claims he was exploited, overworked, and financially trapped, leading to a desperate act fueled by gambling addiction. He is asking for an 18-month sentence, significantly less than the 57 months requested by prosecutors. Whether the judge will find his explanation compelling enough to warrant leniency remains to be seen.
The case raises complex questions about the power dynamics inherent in the relationship between athletes and their support staff, particularly when cultural and linguistic barriers exist. It underscores the potential for exploitation and the importance of ensuring fair compensation and reasonable working conditions. It also highlights the devastating consequences of gambling addiction and the lengths to which individuals may go to cover their losses. The court’s decision in this case will likely have implications beyond Mizuhara’s individual fate, potentially influencing how athlete-support staff relationships are structured and managed in the future.
