Ippei Mizuhara, the previous interpreter of Shohei Ohtani, was formally sentenced in courtroom on Thursday for stealing hundreds of thousands of {dollars} from the Los Angeles celebrity to repay his unlawful playing debt.
Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in jail, which is precisely what federal prosecutors requested for.
Federal prosecutors sought a 57-month jail sentence for Mizuhara, and for him to repay the $16.9 million he stole from Ohtani.
Regardless of Mizuhara’s try to reduce the sentence, he has formally been charged with 57 months.
Mizuhara launched a letter two weeks in the past wherein he revealed why he stole the cash from Ohtani, how he acquired into playing, and why he felt he deserved to be sentenced to a much less extreme punishment.
He reiterated these factors on Thursday.
“As I famous in my letter I need to say I’m really sorry to Mr. Ohtani for what I’ve completed,” Mizuhara mentioned Thursday in courtroom. This error will affect me for the remainder of my life and I’m ready to simply accept the results.”
He added: “I encourage your mercy.”
Mizuhara’s protection legal professional requested for an 18-month sentence. He requested for leniency because of Mizuhara reportedly having a playing addicted since he was a teen and the truth that he expressed deep regret and accountability for his actions.
A current launched recording appeared to point out Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani whereas chatting with a financial institution. When requested about Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani, his lawyer mentioned, “we don’t dispute that.”
The federal prosecutors talked concerning the injury Mizuhara’s actions and feedback did to Ohtani’s popularity. Additionally they mentioned there was no proof a few longstanding playing dependancy for Mizuhara, even if he clearly had one over the previous few years.
In the long run, Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in jail, concluding an 11-month-long saga that started when the have been in Korea to open the 2024 season.