Baseball star Shohei Ohtani wants his former interpreter to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards he says were fraudulently bought using his money.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star is also requesting Ippei Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from the unsuspecting athlete, return signed collectible baseball cards depicting Ohtani that were in Mizuhara's “unauthorized and wrongful possession,” according to court documents filed Tuesday.
The legal filing alleges Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s bank account beginning around November 2021, changing his security protocols so that he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had used that money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers eBay and Whatnot, according to the court documents.
Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Freedman, declined to comment on the filing.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to spending millions from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as his own medical bills and the $325,000 worth of baseball cards.
Mizuhara is due to be sentenced in January after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, crimes that carry a potential sentence of more than 30 years in federal prison. He also could be on the hook for restitution to Ohtani that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. And as a legal permanent resident who has a green card, he might be deported to Japan.
Mizuhara stood by Ohtani’s side for many of the Japanese sensation’s career highlights, from serving as his catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game, to being there for his two American League MVP wins and his record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Off the field, Mizuhara became Ohtani’s friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani — he was rehired after a deal was struck — and their wives reportedly socialized.
But Mizuhara gambled it all away, betting tens of millions of dollars that weren’t his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football — though prosecutors said he never bet on baseball.
Earlier this year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and the baseball star won his third Most Valuable Player award.
FILE - Ippei Mizuhara, left, stands next to Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player Shohei Ohtani, right, during an interview at Dodger Stadium, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 122-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
Jokic scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the first quarter alone to rally Denver from an early 12-point deficit.
Jamal Murray added 22 points, eight assists and four steals for the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Christian Braun finished with 18 points and seven boards.
Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 26 points. Keyonte George scored 23, including five 3-pointers. Walker Kessler chipped in with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
Utah played without injured starters Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.
Denver broke open a close game behind a 21-4 run extending from the middle of the second quarter into the third. With three baskets apiece, Murray and Porter fueled the spurt, which gave the Nuggets a 70-53 lead.
Utah trailed by double digits the rest of the way.
Nuggets: Jokic proved too much for the shorthanded Jazz to handle. His efficient offense helped Denver turn a sluggish start into a blowout victory.
Jazz: Micah Potter and Svi Mykhailiuk made their first starts of the season. They combined for 16 points, and Potter grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds.
After George tied it on a 3-pointer midway through the second quarter, the Nuggets held the Jazz to two baskets during an eight-minute stretch spanning the second and third quarters.
Denver scored 28 points off 18 Utah turnovers. Takeaways also helped the Nuggets tally 33 fast-break points.
The Nuggets play at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, while the Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) shoots as Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) and guard Julian Strawther, right, defend, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) takes the ball to the basket against Jazz guard Keyonte George and Jazz forward Drew Eubanks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets forward Hunter Tyson (5) and Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, go for a loose ball, as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, go for a loose ball, as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun is guarded by, Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun looks to pass as Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, middle, and Utah Jazz forward Drew Eubanks, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) gets past Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) as he goes to the hoop, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
