Ippei Mizuhara, who was a friend and translator of Shohei Ohtaniwas released on bail on Friday after posting $50,000 bail after attending his first court appearance amid his accusation of having stolen more than $16 million from the Japanese star.
The 39-year-old Asian man was presented on Friday before the federal court in Los Angeles before Judge María Audero. All this after he was charged with bank fraud on Thursday for allegedly transferring more than $16 million from Ohtani’s account without permission.
These big money moves, which the former translator made without the knowledge of the new star of Los Angeles Dodgerswere intended to pay off his illegal betting debts, which according to prosecutors in the investigation are the product of his “insatiable appetite” for sports betting.
In addition to granting him the possibility of paying bail to be able to be released on parole, the US judge ordered Ippei Mizuhara that he must appear again before the Californian court on May 9 to continue the due process that the Japanese man faces.
They also added that the Japanese was prohibited from approaching or contacting Shohei Ohtani, nor could he travel outside of Los Angeles. Additionally, he was prohibited from participating in any form of gambling at the same time that he will have to undergo treatment for gambling addiction.
Ippei Mizuhara, who was removed from his position during the Dodgers’ Opening Day series against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, always assured that the Japanese superstar was not aware of his gambling problems and that in He had never participated in them at any time.
Apologizes
Ippei Mizuhara’s lawyer, Michael Freedman, showed on Friday a statement issued by his client in which the Japanese offered his apologies for this entire controversial episode that at times compromised Shohei Ohtani’s career in the Major Leagues where it is one of his maxims. figures.
“He wishes to apologize to Mr. Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball and his family.”read part of the statement in which the information published in The New York Times was ratified, stating that the Japanese was negotiating to reach a plea agreement.
“He continues to cooperate with the entire legal process and hopes to be able to reach an agreement with the government to resolve this case as soon as possible and be able to assume his responsibility”added the statement that was read before the media by the lawyer of Shohei Ohtani’s former translator.
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