The former translator of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to illegally transferring $17 million from the baseball phenom’s account without his knowledge, authorities announced Wednesday. Ippei Mizuhara, 39, will plead guilty to single counts of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return, according to federal prosecutors in Southern California.

“The extent of this defendant’s deception and theft is massive,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr. Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit.”

Mizuhara was an employee of Ohtani’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels, but the player “paid him separately for the additional work of driving him to meetings and interpreting for non-baseball-related activities,” according to prosecutors.

In September 2021, Mizuhara began making bets with an illegal bookmaker, authorities said, losing wagers and running up a massive bill. “Unable to pay his gambling debts, Mizuhara orchestrated a scheme to deceive and cheat the bank to fraudulently obtain money from” Ohtani’s account, according to a statement by prosecutors.

Mizuhara used Ohtani’s password to access the player’s bank account without the player’s knowledge or permission, prosecutors said. “Specifically, Mizuhara changed the registered email address and telephone number on the account so bank employees would call him — not Ohtani — when attempting to verify wire transfers from the account,” according to federal authorities.

The interpreter even “impersonated Ohtani” and used the player’s “personal identifying information to deceive the bank’s employees” to make wire transfers, authorities said. He allegedly called the bank around the clock to pretend to be Ohtani, officials said.

This case highlights the risks associated with granting significant access to personal and financial information, even to trusted associates. Ohtani, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in Major League Baseball (MLB) and has a significant following, found himself a victim of financial exploitation by someone he trusted deeply. The incident has raised awareness about the importance of robust financial security measures for high-profile athletes and other public figures.

Shohei Ohtani, known for his dual role as a pitcher and hitter, has garnered international acclaim for his extraordinary talent and versatility on the field. His prominence in both Japanese and American baseball makes this case particularly high-profile. The financial loss and breach of trust could have far-reaching implications for how athletes manage their finances and the trust they place in their inner circle.

Bank fraud, a serious offense under federal law, involves using deceitful methods to acquire funds from a financial institution. In Mizuhara’s case, the fraudulent activities included altering account information and impersonating Ohtani to execute unauthorized wire transfers. The false tax return charge indicates that Mizuhara not only misappropriated funds but also failed to report the ill-gotten gains accurately, further compounding his legal troubles.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale for athletes and celebrities about the vulnerabilities that come with fame and the critical need for vigilant oversight of personal and financial affairs. It also underscores the responsibilities of financial institutions to implement stringent verification processes to prevent such fraudulent activities.

As Mizuhara faces the consequences of his actions, the case will likely prompt a closer examination of the safeguards in place to protect high-net-worth individuals from similar fraudulent schemes. The legal proceedings will also emphasize the severity of the penalties associated with financial crimes, particularly those involving significant sums of money and the exploitation of trust.

In conclusion, the case involving Ippei Mizuhara’s fraudulent activities against Shohei Ohtani highlights the critical importance of financial security and the potential risks associated with granting access to personal information. As this high-profile case unfolds, it will serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and robust security measures to protect against financial exploitation.