Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, is in federal custody after surrendering to law enforcement Friday.
Mizuhara is accused of stealing more than $16 million over two years from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar to pay off gambling debts to an illegal sportsbook, according to an affidavit filed by federal authorities Thursday.
Federal authorities filed a complaint accusing Mizuhara of bank fraud, which can carry a maximum fine of up to $1 million and/or up to 30 years in prison, according to federal sentencing guidelines.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Thursday that there is no evidence Ohtani had any knowledge of Mizuhara's gambling activities or use of his bank account to pay his debts.
Mizuhara is expected to appear in U.S. District Court on Friday at 4 p.m. ET. During that proceeding, an arraignment date will be set, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office told ESPN on Thursday. Mizuhara will likely be released on bond and is not expected to enter a plea during the hearing, the spokesperson said.
Information from ESPN's Alden Gonzalez and Paula Lavigne was used in this report.
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