A former interpreter was sentenced on Thursday to nearly five years in prison for stealing $17 million from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to pay off gambling debts, according to local media reports.

Ippei Mizuhara, top, former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani, leaves federal court after his sentencing for bank and tax fraud Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Santa Ana, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) AP

Ohtani signed a record US$700 million, 10-year contract to join the Dodgers last season, becoming the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball. The 30-year-old's talents as a slugger and a pitcher have earned him comparisons to Babe Ruth. REUTERS

The former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison and three years' supervised release. Ippei Mizuhara pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud.