Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, must get gambling addiction treatment, judge says
The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed 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
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.
The initial federal court appearance by Ippei Mizuhara marked the first time the interpreter has been seen in public since the scandal exploded last month.
From the field at Dodger 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.
