In a developing story concerning the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, federal attorneys are now moving to push back his court arraignment to May 14th at the US District Court for the Central District of California. This request for postponement was submitted by U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada, as both parties prepare for the legal process ahead. At this time, Michael Freedman, who is representing the accused, has expressed agreement with the proposal to reschedule. Official confirmation by the court on this postponement has yet to be announced.
The case revolves around the individual in question, known as Mizuhara, who until recently was employed as the interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, an acclaimed two-way player for the Dodgers. Mizuhara found himself at the heart of a scandal on March 20 when he was accused of embezzling $16 million to discharge debts incurred from gambling. On April 12, Mizuhara surrendered to authorities and is currently facing bank fraud charges. Ohtani, who has achieved celebrity status within the MLB for his rare ability to excel at both pitching and batting, has been identified as a “victim” by federal investigators following Mizuhara’s deceits.
The incident has sparked considerable reaction within the baseball community. On Monday, May 6, MLB Commissioner Bob Manfred addressed the matter, reassuring the press that the league is inclined to let the criminal investigation unfold without immediate intervention by the MLB itself. According to a USA Today report, Manfred appears unpressured regarding the commencement of a parallel internal investigation, hinting at the criminal justice system’s capability to handle such matters with greater authority compared to what the league can exercise.
In a legal document filed on Tuesday, it was revealed that Mizuhara had been officially charged with bank fraud as of April 11 and had waived his preliminary hearing rights. The prosecutors now have until May 13, which marks a 30-day window following Mizuhara’s surrender, to formally indict him.
IRS criminal investigator Chris Seymour’s affidavit sheds light on Mizuhara’s extensive illegal betting activities, highlighting over 19,000 illicit sports wagers placed between the years 2021 and 2024. These transactions trace back to an unlawful bookmaker in Orange County, California, suspected to be part of the notorious Wayne Nix gambling ring. It is important to note that sports betting is not legally sanctioned in California.
Adding another dimension to this complex scenario is the concurrent case against Scott Sibella, ex-president of MGM and Resorts World, as described by Tuesday’s complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, paralleling his January guilty plea for contravening anti-money laundering regulations. Sibella, implicated in the Nix gambling operation, is scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday, May 8. Court documents implicate Sibella in permitting Nix to engage in gambling at MGM Grand among other venues despite being aware of his activities. Sibella’s plea could result in a sentence of up to five years and a fine as hefty as $250,000. However, recommendations from the US Probationary Office suggest a more lenient probation period of up to one year, a $9,500 fine, and a $100 special assessment fee.
As the story unfolds, the baseball world watches closely, awaiting the legal outcomes and their potential repercussions within the MLB. The narrative encapsulates not only the allegations against Mizuhara but also the wider implications for the sport as it confronts issues of illegal gambling and compliance amongst its ranks.
