It’s been over a year since Shohei Ohtani’s inner circle was rocked by a shocking betrayal.
Now, the man at the center of it all—Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s once-trusted interpreter—has officially reported to prison to begin serving time for stealing millions from the baseball superstar.
The chapter closes with Mizuhara stepping behind bars, just as Ohtani steps back on the mound.
Mizuhara Begins Prison Sentence in Pennsylvania
Ippei Mizuhara has started serving his 57-month prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low, a low-security facility tucked away in rural Pennsylvania.
The former interpreter’s fall from grace is staggering: from traveling with one of MLB’s biggest stars to now doing time for stealing approximately $17 million from Ohtani’s personal bank accounts.
Scandal Erupts as Ohtani Prepares for Pitching Return
The timing of this news is uncanny—it broke just hours before Ohtani is expected to make his first pitching appearance since August 2023.
While fans gear up to watch the Japanese phenom take the mound against the San Diego Padres, Mizuhara is adjusting to a much different setting behind prison walls.
A Shocking Web of Gambling and Deceit
The scandal exploded last year when it was discovered that Mizuhara had made numerous unauthorized wire transfers from Ohtani’s accounts to an illegal bookmaker.
The Dodgers swiftly fired him in March after the revelations surfaced, and the case only got messier from there.
A Guilty Plea and a Mountain of Debt
In June 2024, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return.
He admitted to placing over 19,000 bets in a two-year span, racking up an astronomical $40 million in gambling debt.
The scale of the deceit stunned even seasoned legal observers.
Delayed Surrender and Possible Deportation
Although Mizuhara was originally slated to report to prison in March, his surrender was postponed for reasons that remain undisclosed.
Now that he’s finally in custody, his legal team expects he’ll be deported after completing his sentence, due to his immigration status.
Bookmaker Still Awaits His Day in Court
The man on the other side of those bets—bookie Mathew Mowyer—has yet to be sentenced.
He pleaded guilty in July 2024 to multiple charges, including operating an illegal gambling ring, laundering money, and filing a false tax return. His fate now hangs in the balance.
Ohtani’s Comeback Story Resumes
Back on the field, Ohtani is making headlines for all the right reasons.
After nearly two years off the mound recovering from elbow surgery, he’s finally set to pitch again.
Tonight’s matchup against the Padres will be a real test, with San Diego’s lineup packed with strong hitters who could challenge a potentially rusty Ohtani.
A Historic Season at the Plate
Even without pitching duties last season, Ohtani proved he didn’t need to be on the mound to make history.
He became the first MLB player to join the exclusive 50-50 club—50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
Though 2025 hasn’t quite matched those numbers, he’s still crushing it with 25 home runs in 70 games.
Redemption for One, Consequences for Another
As Ohtani continues to shine under the bright lights of the MLB, Mizuhara’s life now unfolds in a much dimmer reality.
One is rebuilding his legacy; the other is facing the long-term consequences of betrayal.
The saga may not be fully over—but for now, the paths of these two former colleagues couldn’t be more different.