US Court Orders Gambling Addiction Treatment as Bail Condition
Losses Exceed 56 Billion Won... Mizuhara "Will Take Responsibility"
Interpreter Mizuhara Ippei, who was fired after using the money of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) to pay off gambling debts, has been released on bail.
According to AP and AFP on the 12th (local time), a judge at the Los Angeles (LA) Federal Court ordered Mizuhara not to contact Ohtani, the victim of the case, or any witnesses in any form and to undergo gambling addiction treatment, allowing bail.
2018 MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani (right) and former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (left) [Photo by AFP]
AP reported that Mizuhara's bail was set with a $25,000 (about 35 million KRW) bond, and bail would be granted if the person signs without paying the money. If Mizuhara violates the bail conditions, this amount must be paid.
Mizuhara, who was indicted on bank fraud charges the previous day, voluntarily appeared in court on the same day. When the judge asked if Mizuhara understood the charges and bail conditions, he only replied, "Yes."
Mizuhara's lawyer said about the bail conditions set by the judge, "(Mizuhara) fully intends to comply."
Earlier, the U.S. federal prosecutors in California indicted Mizuhara on charges of embezzling more than $16 million (about 22.16 billion KRW) from Ohtani's bank account to pay for his sports gambling expenses and lying to the bank to gain access to Ohtani's account.
The prosecutors stated that Mizuhara placed about 19,000 gambling bets from November 2021 to January this year, with an average bet amount of $12,800.
Mizuhara transferred the embezzled money from Ohtani's deposit account to gambling operators and avoided detection for over two years by changing the contact information linked to Ohtani's bank account. He also impersonated Ohtani over the phone to the bank, causing the bank to approve large transfers to illegal gambling operators.
Based on Ohtani's testimony and phone records, prosecutors concluded that there is no evidence that Ohtani knew of or was involved in Mizuhara's illegal gambling and debt repayment, and that Ohtani is a victim in this case.
AP reported that the indictment submitted by prosecutors to the court the previous day detailed Mizuhara's illegal gambling activities and financial records, stating that he won $142 million (about 196.7 billion KRW) and lost $183 million (about 253.5 billion KRW), with a net betting loss of about $41 million (about 56.8 billion KRW).
Investigations showed that Mizuhara deposited the money he won into his own account.
Last month, when this case was reported in the media, Mizuhara was fired during the MLB Seoul Series held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
Mizuhara's lawyer Michael Friedman released a statement on the day, saying, "He wants to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers organization, MLB, and his family," and added, "He continues to cooperate with the legal process and hopes to reach an agreement with the authorities to resolve this case as soon as possible and take responsibility."
Mizuhara's arraignment hearing is scheduled for the 9th of next month.
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