Interpreter Who Betrayed 7-Year Friendship with Otani, Falsified Education and Career Details

Riverside University of California "No Record in Academic Transcript"
Boston Team "Never Worked as Okajima's Interpreter"

Suspicions are growing around Itpei Mizuhara (40), the interpreter for Shohei Otani (30, LA Dodgers), who is accused of illegal gambling and theft. Reports have emerged that he also falsified his university graduation and interpreting experience.

The American online sports media outlet The Athletic reported on the 24th (Korean time) that Mizuhara's claimed American university background and MLB interpreting career were exaggerated or inaccurate.

On the afternoon of the 20th, Shohei Ohtani of the LA Dodgers and interpreter Mizuhara Ippei were watching the first game of the official Major League Baseball (MLB) opening match between the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The interpreter was recently dismissed by the team amid investigations into illegal gambling and theft charges. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Athletic first expressed doubts about Mizuhara's claim of being a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. A spokesperson for UC Riverside told the outlet, "There is no record of a student named Itpei Mizuhara enrolled at our school." When asked if there were any records under a different or similar name, the university refused to respond altogether.

The Athletic also questioned Mizuhara's career. Previously, he was known to have worked as an interpreter for Japanese left-handed pitcher Hideki Okajima in 2010 and 2012. It was reported that Mizuhara entered MLB as an interpreter working in Boston, but the Boston team refuted this in a statement sent to reporters on the 23rd, saying, "Mizuhara was never employed as an interpreter during the period Okajima played for our team." Okajima played for the Boston Red Sox from 2007 to 2011 and the Oakland Athletics in 2013.

Mizuhara, the interpreter of Otani, who is accused of illegal gambling and theft.
Photo by Yonhap News

Additionally, although Okajima was signed as a minor leaguer by the Yankees in 2012 and was released before spring training began, the 2019 media guide published by the LA Angels, Otani and Mizuhara's former team, lists Mizuhara as having worked as Okajima's interpreter during the 2012 spring camp.

Afterward, Mizuhara moved to serve as a foreign interpreter for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japanese professional baseball. Through his connection with Otani, who was playing for the team at the time, Mizuhara returned to MLB with the Angels and worked as Otani's close friend and interpreter for over seven years until he was dismissed in Seoul on the 21st.

Suspicion surrounding Mizuhara's background is intensifying because his statements related to illegal gambling and theft could critically influence investigations by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and MLB. Mizuhara, who has engaged in illegal gambling across multiple sports, confessed to ESPN, which covered the case, that Otani personally sent money to a gambling operator to repay Mizuhara's gambling debts. It was also uncovered that $4.5 million was transferred from Otani's account to the gambling operator.

Otani Interpreter Ippei Suspected of Illegal Gambling and Theft... Dodgers Take Dismissal Action
Photo by Yonhap News

Otani's legal representative denied the allegations, stating that Otani is a victim of Mizuhara's theft. Mizuhara had previously claimed that the transfers from Otani's account were repayments made on his behalf, but Otani's side rebutted, saying, "He had no knowledge of this." After confirming the money was withdrawn, Otani reported the theft to judicial authorities. All photos with Mizuhara posted on social media were also deleted.

Subsequently, Mizuhara reversed his original claim and completely changed his stance, stating that Otani was unaware of his gambling activities. He added, "I did not bet on baseball but placed bets on soccer, college basketball, and the NBA," and claimed, "I did not know that the bets I made with Boyer were illegal." While sports betting is legal in some U.S. states due to differing laws, it is prohibited in California. Additionally, MLB forbids personnel from betting on baseball.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.