Shohei Ohtani Pursues $325,000 in Baseball Cards from Ex-Interpreter Amid Legal Battle

Shohei Ohtani Pursues $325,000 in Baseball Cards from Ex-Interpreter Amid Legal Battle

Shohei Ohtani, the MLB superstar and reigning two-way sensation, has found himself embroiled in a legal dispute with his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, over a substantial collection of baseball cards. The cards, valued at $325,000, were reportedly purchased using funds stolen from Ohtani by Mizuhara during a scheme that spanned several years. Mizuhara, once a trusted figure in Ohtani’s inner circle, pleaded guilty earlier this year to multiple charges, including bank fraud, after misappropriating approximately $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts.

Mizuhara, who also served as Ohtani’s unofficial manager and financial liaison, admitted to using the stolen funds for personal expenditures, including high-stakes gambling debts and luxury items like rare baseball cards. His actions have led to a complex legal effort by Ohtani to recover not only the financial losses but also the assets tied to the fraud, including the card collection, which has become a focal point in the ongoing case.

The cards, purchased from platforms such as eBay and Whatnot, include rare collectibles that are now being sought by federal authorities as part of the case. Mizuhara’s financial misconduct highlights the challenges professional athletes often face in safeguarding their wealth against internal fraud. His guilty plea also shed light on his broader scheme, which involved misrepresenting taxable income and using Ohtani’s funds for personal dental work and illegal betting activities.

Ohtani, who recently signed a historic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is pressing for restitution through legal means. The case underscores the stakes for athletes managing their business affairs while focusing on their professional careers【6】【7】【8】.