Shohei Ohtani seeks return of stolen baseball cards valued at $325,000
- Shohei Ohtani filed a petition for ownership of $325,000 worth of baseball cards seized from his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
- Mizuhara pleaded guilty to defrauding Ohtani of nearly $17 million and is awaiting sentencing in January.
- The upcoming court hearing regarding the cards is scheduled for December 20, 2024.
In the United States, specifically California, Shohei Ohtani has taken legal action against his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who has pleaded guilty to fraudulently misappropriating nearly $17 million from Ohtani. This petition was filed recently in November 2024 as Ohtani aims to reclaim ownership of collectible baseball cards valued at $325,000 that Mizuhara purchased with Ohtani's stolen funds. Mizuhara was a trusted confidant to Ohtani but exploited this trust through unauthorized access to Ohtani's financial accounts. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California is scheduled to hold a hearing on December 20, 2024, regarding the return of these cards. Ohtani's argument is that these baseball cards, including signed items, were bought using his money, and thus rightfully belong to him. Mizuhara’s plea of guilty in June 2024 confirmed the extent of his fraudulent actions, leading to significant public attention and scrutiny regarding the relationship and trust between players and their interpreters or agents. The Dodgers organization acted swiftly in March 2024, terminating Mizuhara’s employment. Mizuhara's sentencing surrounding his fraudulent activities is now set for January 24, 2025, having been delayed earlier in the month. The current situation illustrates the fallout of betrayal in a professional relationship, with Ohtani now in a position where he must fight to recover personal and valuable property that had been wrongfully taken from him.