Following the news that Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud, more information has trickled out with the investigation.
Mizuhara’s guilty plea was part of a deal laid out by prosecutors, and he’ll move ahead with the legal process. Between the two charges, he faces a maximum of 33 years in federal prison. His arraignment date is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.
According to Tisha Thompson of ESPN, the avenue Mizuhara directly sent money has allegedly been revealed:
Ryan Boyajian, a current cast member of Bravo’s reality TV series “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” is the bookmaker’s associate to whom Ippei Mizuhara wired money to pay his gambling debts, multiple sources with knowledge of the investigation told ESPN.
Mizuhara reportedly stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts, to which he used several tactics to keep his actions hidden from the Major League Baseball star:
Sources told ESPN that Mizuhara paid his losses to Boyajian, who forwarded the money to his own “marker” accounts at Resorts World and Pechanga Resort Casino in Southern California. Boyajian and Bowyer then withdrew the chips from the marker accounts, gambled with them and if they won, cashed out.
Mizuhara’s illegal activities began in September 2021, continuing through March of this year.
The reality cast member, Ryan Boyajian, reportedly worked with authorities to peel back the layers of the operations with Mizuhara:
Multiple sources said Boyajian has received immunity in return for his testimony.
Because Mizuhara accepted a plea deal, he’ll receive a lesser sentence than otherwise handed down. He’ll be required to repay all stolen funds to Ohtani as part of the deal.
That includes money to the Internal Revenue Service, as well.
Special agent in charge, Tyler Hatcher, speaks on Ippei Mizuhara case
Ohtani has been considered a victim following the investigation, which has continued to be confirmed my additional law enforcement agencies working on the case.
“He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit. My office is committed to vindicating victims throughout our community and ensuring that wrongdoers face justice.”
“Our joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations clearly showed Mr. Mizuhara not only stole from Mr. Ohtani, but also that he lied to the IRS about his income,” said special agent in charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office.
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