In a bizarre twist, prosecutors claim a recorded phone call captured Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pretending to be the baseball star to transfer $200,000. The call, which lasted nearly four minutes, reportedly involved Mizuhara saying the money was for a car loan. The recording is part of a case against Mizuhara, who’s accused of stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani.

Authorities are using the audio to push for a nearly five-year prison sentence for Mizuhara, who has already pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud. Prosecutors are also asking for the stolen money to be repaid to Ohtani and for an additional $1 million penalty to the IRS. His sentencing is set for February 6.

In the recording, a man claims to be Ohtani and says he couldn’t access his online banking. When asked about the $200,000 transfer, he tells the bank employee it’s for a car loan and describes the recipient as a “friend.” The call was obtained by authorities from the bank, though it’s unclear when it took place.

Mizuhara allegedly accessed Ohtani’s bank account starting in late 2021, changing security settings so he could impersonate him and authorize wire transfers. By 2024, he reportedly spent some of the money on $325,000 worth of baseball cards purchased online.

Mizuhara, who was Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend, was present for many of the baseball star’s career milestones, including his two MVP wins and his record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers. However, he gambled away millions on sports like international soccer, the NBA, and the NFL—though prosecutors say he never bet on baseball.

The case highlights the downfall of a once-trusted confidant, whose actions have left fans and the sports world shocked.