Judge orders ex-interpreter for Ohtani to get treatment

— A federal judge on Friday ordered the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to undergo gambling addiction treatment in a sports betting case stemming from allegations he stole $16 million from the Japanese baseball player's bank account to pay off debts.

Ippei Mizuhara exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to plunder millions from the two-way player's account for years, prosecutors said, at times impersonating Ohtani to bankers.

Mizuhara only spoke on Friday to answer the judge's questions, saying "yes" when Audero asked if he understood several parts of the case and his bond conditions.

Hours after court, his attorney Michael G. Freedman issued a statement saying Mizuhara hopes to "reach an agreement with the government to resolve this case as quickly as possible so that he can take responsibility." He further added Mizuhara "wishes to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and his family."

"I'm very grateful for the Department of Justice's investigation," Ohtani told the Los Angeles Times on Friday.

"For me personally, this marks a break from this, and I'd like to focus on baseball."

Ohtani spoke from the field at Dodger Stadium ahead of the team's game against the San Diego Padres.

United States Magistrate Judge Maria A. Audero also ordered Mizuhara to be released on an unsecured $25,000 bond, colloquially known as a signature bond. That means that Mizuhara does not have to put up any cash or collateral to be released. If he violates the conditions of his bond, then he will be on the hook for $25,000.