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Victor Petkov
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Ohtani’s ex-interpreter pleads guilty for financial fraud
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"It's time to close this chapter", baseball star wrote after the verdict

Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off his gambling debts, according to U.S. prosecutors. Mizuhara, who previously served as the translator and also manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ power-hitting pitcher, entered the plea agreement last month.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada commented on the case, highlighting the depth and extent of Mizuhara’s fraud. The plea deal includes one count of felony bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Mizuhara, 39, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the bank fraud conviction and up to three years for the tax offense.

Ohtani expressed gratitude to the authorities for their thorough investigation in a written statement. He remarked, “It’s time to close this chapter, move on and continue to focus on playing and winning ball games.”