update
2:22 PM PT — Ippei Mizuhara showed up to his court appearance with shackles around his ankles … although the chains were ultimately removed as the hearing got underway.
During the proceedings, Mizuhara — wearing a dark-colored suit — learned he will be released on $25,000 bond … but he will have to abide by a myriad of conditions in order to stay out of custody — including no gambling whatsoever.
Mizuhara will also have to enroll in a gamblers addiction treatment program … as well as, among other stipulations, have no communication with Shohei Ohtani.
He’s due back in court on May 9.
Ippei Mizuhara has surrendered to authorities … federal prosecutors just announced he turned himself in Friday morning — less than 24 hours after he was hit with a bank fraud charge.
Shohei Ohtani‘s former interpreter is now scheduled to remain in custody until at least Friday afternoon … when he’s slated to make an appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom.
According to the feds, Mizuhara is not expected to make a plea to the judge at the proceedings. It’s not yet known if he’ll be eligible for release following the hearing.
As we reported, Mizuhara was charged with a felony on Thursday … after U.S. Department of Justice officials alleged he stole around $16 million from an Ohtani bank account to pay for gambling debts he had amassed.
The DOJ said Mizuhara also used some of Ohtani’s funds to buy thousands of dollars worth of baseball cards.
The feds, though, said during their investigation … they found nothing that led them to believe Ohtani had knowledge of Mizuhara’s transgressions.
Mizuhara had already been fired by the Dodgers when the allegations came to light late last month. Will Ireton has filled in in Mizuhara’s stead.
Ohtani, meanwhile, hasn’t seemed to be bothered much by the distraction … he’s piled up three home runs and a .333 batting average through 11 games.
Originally Published — 2:21 PM PT
