Shohei Ohtani is petitioning a judge to get ownership of $325,000 worth of baseball cards he says were purchased by Ippei Mizuhara, the baseball star’s former interpreter, using Ohtani’s money.
Mizuhara pled guilty in federal court to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani earlier this year, in a scandal that shocked Major League Baseball right as the season was set to begin.
The Dodgers star on Wednesday asked a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for a hearing in order for him to gain ownership of the valuable cards that authorities seized from Mizuhara as part of their investigation into him, according to The Athletic.
Shohei Ohtani poses for a picture with his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, during his Dodgers signing press conference on Dec. 14, 2023.Getty Images
The baseball cards had been purchased sometime between January and March of this year online on eBay and Whatnot, and the former Ohtani confidant had intended to resell them.
The hearing was granted and will take place on Dec. 20, with Ohtani arguing that he wants the items since they were purchased with his money.
Court filings, according to The Athletic, indicated that the forfeited items had been described as “collectible sports cards found in silver and black Panopply case; collectible sports cards found in gray Panopply case; box containing collectible sports cards; card wrap device; and plastic card protectors holders.”
Ohtani is also seeking the return of “a quantity of personally signed collectible baseball cards” with the Dodgers star’s image on it that Mizuhara had.
Sportico had reported back in April that IRS special agent Chris Seymour had filed an affidavit that detailed that the cards included cards of Yogi Berra and Juan Soto, along with cards of Ohtani as well.
Shohei Ohtani speaks to fans during the Dodgers’ World Series Championship celebrationUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The cards had been hidden in several briefcases and boxes in an automobile used by the disgraced interpreter.
Mizuhara pled guilty in June to bank and tax fraud in relation to the theft of millions from Ohtani.
