The intricate world of baseball cards took an unexpected turn as the U.S. government stepped in to confiscate a coveted collection purchased with stolen funds by none other than Ippei Mizuhara, the former trusted interpreter for Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara’s downfall came after pleading guilty to embezzling a staggering sum of nearly $17 million from the renowned player he once assisted.
In a bold move, federal prosecutors sought permission from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to seize Mizuhara’s impressive assortment of baseball cards, along with the associated packaging materials and equipment used to safeguard these valuable items. The sentencing hearing for Mizuhara is slated for late October, marking the final chapter of this gripping saga.
During the period between January and March 2024, Mizuhara went on a baseball card shopping spree, splurging over $325,000 of Ohtani’s hard-earned money on prized collectibles sourced from popular online marketplaces like eBay and Whatnot. Among his stash are cards depicting legendary players such as Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and even the talented Shohei Ohtani himself, as revealed in the details of Mizuhara’s plea agreement.
In the quest for justice, prosecutors are pushing for the forfeiture of these ill-gotten gains as part of Mizuhara’s impending punishment. The disgraced former interpreter, who also agreed to surrender other sports memorabilia acquired with Ohtani’s funds, struck a plea deal in May and formally confessed to charges of bank and tax fraud in June, unveiling the extent of his betrayal.
Ippei Mizuhara, aged 39, had once been an integral part of Shohei Ohtani’s inner circle, serving as a loyal friend, interpreter, and even an unofficial manager since the Japanese sensation’s arrival at the Angels in 2018. However, over the course of several years, Mizuhara abused this trust, diverting millions from Ohtani’s accounts to finance his gambling habits and indulge in acquiring high-end baseball collectibles.
The upcoming sentencing on October 25 will mark a crucial juncture in this legal saga as the court deliberates on the government’s request for forfeiture, underscoring the consequences of Mizuhara’s devious actions. The case of United States v. Mizuhara, unfolding in the C.D. Cal., stands as a stark reminder of the harsh repercussions awaiting those who choose to betray the trust placed in them for personal gain.