Per reports, after his Los Angeles court appearance on Friday, Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was released from federal custody.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Blum, Mizuhara was released on a $25,000 bond and “numerous other conditions”, an unsecured bond, colloquially known as a signature bond.
Ippei Mizuhara has been released on a $25K bond, per @SamBlum3
He did not enter a plea and his arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 9 pic.twitter.com/S8rxULCm6p
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) April 12, 2024
Apparently, Mizuhara surrendered to law enforcement on the same day, per the bond he cannot leave the central district of California without permission.
In addition, he also can’t contact Ohtani and also has to participate in a gambler’s addiction program.
During his appearance in U.S. District Court, he did not enter a plea and will be arraigned on May 9, per Blum.
Alden González of ESPN was the first to report on Friday that Mizuhara was in federal custody after surrendering to law enforcement.
As per multiple reports, he now could possibly face 30 years in prison if convicted of bank fraud, and additional charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said at an April 11 news conference,
“According to the complaint, Mr. Mizuhara stole this money, largely to finance his voracious appetite for illegal sports betting”
On Friday, United States Magistrate Judge Maria A. Audero also ordered Mizuhara to undergo gambling addiction treatment related to the sports betting case.
In the statement of his attorney, Michael G. Freedman,
“He hopes to reach an agreement with the government to resolve this case as quickly as possible so that he can take responsibility. He wishes to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and his family. As noted in court, he is also eager to seek treatment for his gambling. We have no further comment at this time, but Mr. Mizuhara will be providing further comment as the legal process proceeds.”
Ohtani has known Mizuhara since 2013 and worked as his interpreter with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017.
