Shohei Ohtani’s initial run with the Dodgers resulted in a World Series ring and the National League MVP. Now, he’s hoping he can add hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards to that collection, too.
The Los Angeles supernova issued a legal filing into the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Tuesday asking for a hearing to regain possession of $325,000 worth of trading cards he says were fraudulently purchased by former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara, Ohtani’s longtime interpreter and confidant, pleaded guilty to defrauding Ohtani of nearly $17 million for gambling debts earlier this year. Authorities seized the trading cards from Mizuhara prior to his arrest. Ohtani now wants the memorabilia — “a quantity of personally signed collectible baseball cards” — back.
Here’s what you need to know.
Shohei Ohtani baseball cards lawsuit, explained
Ohtani claims that Mizuhara purchased $325,000 worth of trading cards from online resale platforms eBay and WhatNot between January and March 2024. The money Mizuhara used to buy the cards was reportedly siphoned out of Ohtani’s bank account.
Mizuhara is facing charges of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return, crimes that could carry a sentence of more than 30 years in federal prison. His sentencing was initially scheduled for Dec. 20. On Wednesday, the trial was moved back until Jan. 24.
Ohtani was granted a hearing to recoup the cards. He’ll return to court on Dec. 20.
In court filings, the tradings cards are described as “collectible sports cards found in silver and black Panopply case; collectible sports cards found in gray Panopply case; box containing collectible sports cards; card wrap device; and plastic card protectors holders.”
Mizuhara could be tasked with shelling out nearly $17 million in restitution to Ohtani, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS, if he is convicted of the crimes he’s accused of. A legal permanent resident with a green card, Mizuhara could also face deportation back to Japan.
