Shohei Ohtani demands his ex-interpreter return $325K worth of baseball cards

MLB star Shohei Ohtani demands that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, return $325,000 worth of baseball cards that he says were fraudulently purchased using his money, court documents filed Tuesday reveal.

The Los Angeles Dodgers player also wants Mizuhara to return signed collectible baseball cards depicting Ohtani.

Once Ohtani’s trusted confidant, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million from the athlete.

The legal filing claims the Japanese interpreter began accessing Ohtani’s bank account in 2021 by manipulating security protocols and used the money to fund gambling debts, medical bills, and purchase baseball cards.

Set for sentencing in January, Mizuhara faces up to 30 years in prison, restitution of nearly $17 million to Ohtani, and potential deportation to Japan.