The U.S. government has stepped into the world of baseball cards, seeking to confiscate a collection of valuable memorabilia linked to a scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara, who previously worked closely with the Los Angeles Angels superstar, has found himself in hot water after pleading guilty to embezzling nearly $17 million from the star player.
In a legal move made on Monday, federal prosecutors filed a request with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, asking for approval to seize Mizuhara’s prized baseball card collection. This collection was amassed using Ohtani’s funds, with Mizuhara reportedly spending over $325,000 between January and March 2024 on baseball cards obtained from popular online marketplaces like eBay and Whatnot.
Mizuhara’s collection boasts cards featuring legendary players such as Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and even Ohtani himself, as detailed in his plea agreement. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors are pushing for the forfeiture of these cards, along with associated packaging materials and equipment used to protect the cards. Mizuhara entered into the plea agreement in May and officially pleaded guilty in June to charges of bank and tax fraud.
The 39-year-old Mizuhara had maintained a close relationship with Ohtani, serving as not only his interpreter but also as a trusted friend and unofficial manager since the Japanese athlete joined the Angels in 2018. However, over the years, Mizuhara’s actions revealed a different side, as he diverted millions from Ohtani’s accounts to support his gambling habits and fund his lavish purchases of high-end baseball collectibles.
Mizuhara’s sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for late October, with the court expected to address the government’s request for forfeiture as part of his punishment. The case, known as United States v. Mizuhara, is a notable one, with the legal proceedings shedding light on the implications of financial misdeeds within the realm of sports and entertainment.
As the story unfolds, the fate of the coveted baseball card collection hangs in the balance, symbolizing a mix of nostalgia, betrayal, and the consequences of white-collar crime. With the crack of the bat echoing in the background, the courtroom drama surrounding Mizuhara’s ill-fated choices serves as a cautionary tale in the world where sports and finance intersect.
