Plea Bargain Accepted
Japanese Media: "Sentence Likely to Be Decided Between 4 to 6 Years"
Expected Deportation to Japan After Serving Time in US Prison
Former interpreter of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani (29, Los Angeles Dodgers) has admitted to all charges in court, stating that he accessed Ohtani's account due to gambling debts. Japanese media are focusing on the sentence he will receive, which is expected to be between 4 to 6 years in prison, followed by deportation procedures to Japan after serving time in a U.S. prison.
On the 5th, NHK reported that the sentencing hearing for Ohtani’s former interpreter, Mizuhara Ippei, is scheduled for October 25, and provided this analysis. Most criminal cases in the U.S. proceed directly to sentencing hearings without jury deliberation, full testimony, or final arguments after a guilty plea because of plea bargaining. Under the judge’s approval, if the defendant admits guilt, the prosecutor negotiates with the defendant to determine the sentence.
In April, Mizuhara withdrew $17 million (23.3 billion KRW) from Ohtani’s bank account to repay his gambling debts and transferred it to a gambling operator’s account, impersonating Ohtani to obtain bank approval. He is also charged with failing to report additional income in his 2022 tax filings. Under federal law, bank fraud can carry a maximum sentence of 30 years, and tax-related income omission can result in up to 3 years in prison.
However, after agreeing to a plea deal with prosecutors on the 8th of last month, the sentencing range was narrowed to 4 to 6 years. Federal law determines sentences based on guidelines that assign points according to the nature of the crime, amount defrauded, abuse of position, and other factors, reducing points if the defendant pleads guilty. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, prosecutors initially assigned 7 points for Mizuhara’s bank fraud charge. Considering the amount defrauded, 20 points were added, plus 2 points for deceiving a financial institution, totaling 29 points. This corresponds to a sentence of 87 to 108 months (7 years 3 months to 9 years).
Regarding the false tax filing, 20 base points plus 2 points for criminal proceeds were assigned, totaling 22 points, corresponding to 41 to 51 months (3 years 4 months to 4 years 2 months).
However, Mizuhara and prosecutors ultimately agreed on 25 points. Twenty-five points correspond to a sentence of 57 to 71 months (4 years 7 months to 5 years 9 months). NHK analyzed that “although the details are unclear, it appears Mizuhara’s sentence was reduced through a plea bargain by admitting guilt.” Points are deducted for first-time offenders or those who promptly admit guilt.
Because of the plea bargain, if Mizuhara is sentenced within the 25-point range, he has agreed with prosecutors not to appeal, and the judge will consider this when determining the sentence. Therefore, it is widely expected that the sentence will be between 4 years 7 months and 5 years 9 months, corresponding to 25 points.
However, there is a possibility of changes to the sentence in the future. During the plea bargain, prosecutors required Mizuhara to compensate Ohtani $16,975,010 (2.33 billion KRW) and pay $1,149,400 (150 million KRW) in additional taxes for 2022. If Mizuhara pays these before the judge issues the sentence, the sentence may be reduced. Conversely, if Ohtani submits a written statement to the court explaining the impact this case has had on him, it could also influence the sentence.
After serving a certain period in prison, Mizuhara is expected to be deported to Japan. NHK added, “If neither the plaintiff nor the defendant appeals after the October sentencing hearing, Mizuhara will be incarcerated. After completing his sentence, deportation procedures to Japan will begin.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
