The world of baseball memorabilia took a dramatic turn as the U.S. government made a bold move to seize a collection of valuable baseball cards that once belonged to Ippei Mizuhara. Known as the former interpreter for Los Angeles Angels’ star player, Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara found himself entangled in a web of embezzlement, pleading guilty to the tune of almost $17 million.

In a recent legal filing sent to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, federal prosecutors laid out their intentions to take possession of Mizuhara’s prized baseball card collection. This would also include the assorted packaging materials and protective equipment used for the cards. The climax of this legal battle is set to unfold during Mizuhara’s sentencing hearing, slated for the latter part of October.

The illicit spending spree occurred between January and March of 2024, during which Mizuhara squandered a staggering sum of over $325,000 from Ohtani’s finances on baseball cards sourced from popular online marketplaces such as eBay and Whatnot. The assortment of cards in his possession boasted names of legendary players like Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and even Shohei Ohtani himself, as disclosed in Mizuhara’s plea agreement.

As stipulated in the plea bargain, prosecutors are aiming to have these items confiscated as part of Mizuhara’s punitive measures. Alongside the baseball cards, Mizuhara also consented to forfeit any other sports memorabilia that was purchased using Ohtani’s misappropriated funds. His admission of guilt was formalized in June, following the plea agreement reached in May, where he confessed to charges of bank and tax fraud.

Having enjoyed a position of trust as Ohtani’s confidant, interpreter, and de facto manager since the Japanese sensation’s arrival at the Angels in 2018, Mizuhara’s actions have cast a dark shadow over their once-close relationship. Over the course of several years, Mizuhara diverted millions from Ohtani’s accounts to fuel his gambling habits and acquire a trove of high-end baseball collectibles.

The upcoming sentencing session, scheduled for October 25, is anticipated to include a decision on the government’s plea for forfeiture, thereby marking a critical juncture in Mizuhara’s legal saga. As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the case under the designation of United States v. Mizuhara, C.D. Cal., No. 8:24-cr-00054-JWH, will undoubtedly draw attention from baseball enthusiasts and legal observers alike.

Source