Shohei Ohtani submitted a formal petition to a federal judge to recover baseball cards, which were purchased with his money by its former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
According to The Athletic, the baseball cards are valued at more than $325,000. Mizuhara had used Shohei Ohtani’s money to buy them.
This comes after Mizuhara pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani.
Ohtani, through his legal team, asked the United States District Court for the Central District of California for a hearing that has already been scheduled for December 20.
In his request, the MVP of The National League argues that the trading cards, confiscated by authorities during the investigation against Mizuhara, They were purchased with his money and therefore belong to him.
According to court documents, the cards, purchased between January and March 2024 on platforms such as eBay, include iconic pieces from baseball figures such as Yogi Berra, Juan Soto and even Ohtani himself.
Plastic protectors, a device for wrapping cards, were also confiscated. and luxury cases where these precious items were stored.
In addition to the cards purchased by Mizuhara, Ohtani is also seeking to recover a collection of cards personally signed with his image, which the former interpreter had maintained in his possession.
The Ippei Mizuhara Fraud
The case of Ippei Mizuhara, who for years was Ohtani’s right-hand man and translator, exposed a fraudulent operation that involved the diversion of millions of dollars from the Japanese baseball player’s accounts.
Mizuhara used these funds not only to purchase trading cards, but also for other personal purposes, according to authorities.
In April, IRS Special Agent Chris Seymour filed an affidavit detailing how Mizuhara acquired and resold the cards as part of his scheme. This act of betrayal caused a stir, as Mizuhara was not only an employee of Ohtani, but also a close confidant.
With the hearing on December 20, Ohtani will seek not only to recover the valuable cards, but also to close a dark chapter in his career.
Meanwhile, the Japanese continues to write his own history in the Major Leagues, with a legacy that transcends records and trophies, but that now also includes a fight for justice off the field.
Keep reading:
– Shohei Ohtani wins MVP in his first year with the Dodgers
– MLB sanctions a Major League referee after being linked to betting
– Former Shohei Ohtani performer pleads guilty to fraud charges in gambling scandal