Sawt Falasteen - Ohtani interpreter released after first court hearing

Ippei Mizuhara was led into the dock in the federal court building in Los Angeles with shackles around his ankles for a brief hearing before US Magistrate Maria Audero.

The 39-year-old's court appearance came a day after he was charged with bank fraud.

Federal prosecutors say Mizuhara plundered millions from Los Angeles Dodgers ace Ohtani's bank account to fund an "insatiable appetite" for gambling.

Mizuhara barely spoke during Friday's hearing, only saying "Yes" when asked if he understood the charges against him before nodding to agree to the terms of his release.

Audero said Mizuhara could be released on a $25,000 bond and set a formal arraignment hearing for May 9.

The judge ordered Mizuhara not to travel outside the region or have any contact with Ohtani.

He was also ordered not to engage in any form of gambling, and was instructed to begin treatment for gambling addiction -- something attorney Michael Freedman said his client "fully intends to do."

The New York Times reported this week that Mizuhara was in negotiations with federal prosecutors over a possible plea deal in connection with the case.

On Thursday, US Attorney Martin Estrada told a packed press conference that Mizuhara had abused his position as Ohtani's "de facto manager" to raid his bank account.

Ohtani, the biggest star in baseball, joined the Dodgers last December in a record-breaking $700 million deal -- the richest contract in North American sports history.

A criminal complaint detailing allegations of bank fraud against Mizuhara said the translator -- Ohtani's long-time friend and confidant -- transferred more than $16 million from the baseball star's bank account "to pay off his own substantial gambling debts incurred with an illegal bookmaking operation."

Estrada said there was no evidence to suggest Ohtani was aware of or involved in Mizuhara's illegal gambling activity.

"I want to emphasize this point: Mr. Ohtani is considered a victim in this case," Estrada said.

Major League Baseball's gambling policy bars "any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee" from betting on baseball or making illegal bets on any other sport.

Players found guilty of betting on a game they were involved in are subject to life bans, with one-year suspensions if they are found to have gambled on games they are not directly involved in.

Ohtani is a rarity in baseball in that he combines elite level pitching and hitting ability, making him a generational talent who has been portrayed as a modern-day version of Babe Ruth.

Those skills and his clean-cut image have made him the global face of baseball.

Bank fraud carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

H.Darwish--SF-PST