Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, is heard impersonating Ohtani to try to get a $200,000 wire transfer approved from Ohtani's bank account in a recording obtained by The Athletic from the Department of Justice.
Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges in June, admitting to stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani as he amassed a large gambling debt while working as Ohtani's interpreter with the Angels and Dodgers. According to Mizuhara’s plea agreement, he had placed approximately 24 phone calls in which he impersonated Ohtani.
In the audio recording, Mizuhara tells a bank agent over the phone that he is Ohtani.
"Who am I speaking with?" the agent says at the start of the recording.
"Shohei Ohtani," Mizuhara responds.
Later in the phone call, the bank agent sends a verification code to the contact number linked to the account, which appears to be Mizuhara's own cell phone. Mizuhara then tells the agent the money is for a car loan for "my friend," and that there could "possibly" be future wire transfers to the friend.
Mizuhara's sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6.
Federal prosecutors requested a 57-month sentence for Mizuhara on Thursday, as well as restitution to Ohtani and the IRS. Mizuhara asked for an 18-month sentence due to his gambling addiction and regret for his actions.