The world of baseball cards, typically associated with nostalgic feelings of childhood and admiration for legendary players, took a dramatic turn as the U.S. government made a bold move to seize a valuable collection purchased with stolen funds by Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani.
In a legal pursuit, federal prosecutors presented a case to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, requesting permission to confiscate Mizuhara’s assortment of baseball cards. These cards were acquired using nearly $17 million embezzled from the dynamic Los Angeles Angels’ star player, Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara's sentencing date is approaching quickly, set for late October.
During a spree between January and March 2024, Mizuhara indulged in spending over $325,000 of Ohtani's money on baseball cards, which he purchased from various online platforms such as eBay and Whatnot. Among the cards in his collection are notable pieces featuring iconic players like Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and even Ohtani himself, as revealed in details from Mizuhara’s plea agreement.
As part of the plea deal, the prosecutors are pushing for the forfeiture of these items as a component of Mizuhara's punishment. Besides the baseball cards, Mizuhara agreed to surrender other sports memorabilia bought illegitimately with Ohtani's money. His plea agreement was formalized in May, following his guilty plea in June on charges of bank and tax fraud.
At the age of 39, Mizuhara had played a multifaceted role in Ohtani's life, being a close friend, interpreter, and unofficial manager ever since the Japanese sensation joined the Los Angeles Angels back in 2018. However, this trust was abused as Mizuhara redirected millions from Ohtani’s accounts to cater to his gambling habits and to fund the purchase of high-end baseball collectibles.
The court is anticipated to make a critical decision on the forfeiture request as part of Mizuhara's upcoming sentencing, scheduled for October 25. This legal saga is documented under the case name United States v. Mizuhara, C.D. Cal., No. 8:24-cr-00054-JWH, dated September 16, 2024. The repercussions of Mizuhara's actions are not only financial but also tarnish the integrity that was built over years of friendship and professional collaboration with the baseball icon, Shohei Ohtani.
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