Ippei Mizuhara Wired Shohei Ohtani’s Money to Reality TV Star, Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani, was sending money to Ryan Boyajian, a current cast member of Bravo’s reality TV series, “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” according to a report by ESPN.

Boyajian was an associate to bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. Bowyer told Mizuhara he could pay his gambling debts to an associate, which has now been identified as Boyajian.

Boyajian and Bowyer have reportedly been close friends and business associates for 20 years. Boyajian has reportedly often been seen gambling with Bowyer in Las Vegas.

Mizuhara is accused of stealing $16 million from Ohtani’s account to pay off his debt, including more than $40 million in net losses. He has since appeared in court and apologized to Ohtani via a statement from his lawyer.

Ippei Mizuhara Pleads Guilty for Stealing Millions of Dollars From Shohei Ohtani

On Wednesday, Mizuhara pleaded guilty for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s account to pay off his gambling debts. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

According to Meghann Cuniff of the Washington Post, Mizuhara could face up to nine years in federal prison:

“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “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.”

Mizuhara is expected to enter his guilty plea officially next week.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mizuhara will be required to pay full restitution to his victims, which includes $16,975,010 to Victim A and $1,149,400 to the IRS. Victim A is assumed to be Ohtani.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports