Government Seeks to Seize Stolen Baseball Card Collection

The world of baseball card collecting has taken a dramatic turn as the U.S. government sets its sights on a valuable collection owned by Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Los Angeles Angels’ standout player Shohei Ohtani. This action comes after Mizuhara admitted to embezzling close to $17 million from Ohtani, prompting federal prosecutors to make a move in court.

In a legal maneuver unveiled recently, federal prosecutors approached the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with the intent to seize Mizuhara’s treasure trove of baseball cards. The collection, amassed through purchases totaling more than $325,000 between January and March 2024, includes sought-after cards of legendary players like Yogi Berra, Juan Soto, and even Ohtani himself. These cards were acquired from popular online platforms such as eBay and Whatnot.

The specifics of Mizuhara’s plea agreement shed light on the scale of his illicit activities. As part of the deal, prosecutors are pushing for the forfeiture of not just the baseball cards themselves, but also the related packaging materials and protective gear for the cards. Mizuhara, having struck this deal back in May, formally entered a guilty plea in June, taking responsibility for charges relating to bank and tax fraud.

The saga reveals a troubling twist in the relationship between Mizuhara and Ohtani. For years, Mizuhara served as a confidant to the Japanese sports icon, assuming roles beyond interpretation to include that of an informal manager. However, behind this façade of camaraderie, Mizuhara was diverting millions from Ohtani’s accounts to finance his gambling exploits and acquire high-end items within the baseball memorabilia circuit.

The impending reckoning for Mizuhara is marked by a sentencing hearing slated for late October. Scheduled for October 25, this hearing will also address the government’s request for the confiscation of Mizuhara’s ill-gotten gains, marking a decisive moment in this high-profile case.

In the legal arena, this case goes by the name United States v. Mizuhara in the Central District of California, bearing the reference number 8:24-cr-00054-JWH, with key developments occurring on September 16, 2024.

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