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Former financial manager for Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, is facing up to 30 years in prison for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from the baseball star. The scandal unfolded as Mizuhara was accused of embezzling over $16 million from Ohtani and engaging in illegal gambling activities.
According to reports, Mizuhara made a staggering 19,000 bets with a bookie, resulting in losses of over $40 million in gambling. In an attempt to cover up his fraudulent activities, Mizuhara allegedly impersonated Ohtani on phone calls and used the player’s money to purchase baseball cards worth $325,000.
The situation took a darker turn when the bookie involved in the case began following Ohtani and even made threats towards Mizuhara. Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, was kept in the dark about the financial discrepancies as Mizuhara acted as the sole communicator between him and Ohtani, allegedly lying about the situation.
Mizuhara eventually confessed to the theft after being terminated from his role, leading to serious legal repercussions. The shocking betrayal has left Ohtani and his team reeling as they grapple with the repercussions of Mizuhara’s actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence and oversight in financial management, especially in high-stakes sports industries. As Mizuhara faces the consequences of his alleged crimes, Ohtani and his team are left to pick up the pieces and move forward with a renewed sense of caution in their financial dealings.
