Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani to Recover $325,000 Worth of Items Seized From Ippei Mizuhara
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani started his career with the organization under a dark cloud after the news broke of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stealing more than $16 million from the star and committing bank fraud in April. Since then, Ohtani reached new heights by inventing the 50-50 club, winning the World Series, and being awarded the National League MVP.
The scandal was long forgotten, but recently resurfaced after Ohtani petitioned a federal judge for ownership of $325,000 worth of baseball cards that were in wrongful possession of Mizuhara. Last week, Ohtani asked the court for a hearing to regain ownership of said baseball cards, which authorities seized from his former interpreter. On Monday, federal prosecutors said in a court filing that Ohtani will recover those cards fraudulently purchased by Mizuhara, per The Athletic.
Between January and March of 2024, Mizuhara purchased baseball cards via online resale sites with the intention to sell them. Ohtani is arguing the baseball cards are rightfully his since they were bought with his money.
“Between January and March 2024, Defendant purchased approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers eBay and Whatnot, with payments drawn on Petitioner’s bank account,” Ohtani’s legal team said.
Additionally, his legal team added: “A quantity of personally signed collectible baseball cards which depict and are the property of Petitioner, and which at the time of their seizure were in the unauthorized and wrongful possession of Defendant.”
The Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March and his sentencing was set for Dec. 20 but has since been delayed to Jan. 24. This is the second time Mizuhara’s hearing has been rescheduled as it was originally set for Oct. 25.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
