Audio from DOJ reveals ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating Shohei Ohtani to bank

“Who am I speaking with?” a bank agent is heard asking in a clip posted by Jomboy Media on X.

“Shohei Ohtani,” Mizuhara answers.

He continues to pass a two-factor authentication process using his own personal cell phone and answers several follow-up security questions acting as Ohtani.

The nearly four-minute long recording will be used in the prosecution's case against Mizuhara who has pled guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return after stealing roughly $17M from Ohtani.

Mizuhara's defense argues he stole the money as a result of a gambling addiction but prosecutors aren't buying that. They plan to use the recording as evidence Mizuhara spent part of the stolen funds for personal expenses not related to gambling, per court filings (h/t The Athletic).

In a little over two years, Mizuhara racked up over $4 million in gambling debts. He was fired as Ohtani's interpreter in March after an ESPN investigation uncovered his unethical habits.

Ohtani was cleared by investigators and the MLB of any wrongdoing in the matter.

Prosecutors are recommending a five-year sentence for Mizuhara, including nearly $17M in restitution paid back to Ohtani plus $1.1M to the IRS. Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 6.