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‘I’m Shohei Ohtani’: Former interpreter caught impersonating baseball superstar on bank call

The former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, who pleaded guilty last year to bank fraud and falsifying tax returns, was caught on tape pretending to be Los Angeles Dodgers superstar in a call with a bank agent.

Ippei Mizuhara, the former fan favorite who admitted in court that he stole as much as $17 million from Ohtani, impersonated the three-time MVP in the call.

The audio recording was obtained by The Athletic from the Department of Justice.

In this courtroom sketch, Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, appears in federal court in Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud on Tuesday and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off sports betting debts. (Bill Robles via AP)
In this courtroom sketch, Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, appears in federal court in Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud on Tuesday and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off sports betting debts. (Bill Robles via AP)

“I’m Shohei Ohtani,” Mizuhara said after the agent asked who she was speaking with.

Mizuhara, impersonating Ohtani, then says he’s inquiring about a wire transfer he attempted to make a couple of days prior. The agent then has him go through an authentication process before asking what the transfer is for.

“For a car loan,” Mizuhara replied.

The wire transfer Mizuhara was attempting to push through was for $200,000.

Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 6.

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