Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, turned himself in and was freed on a $25,000 bond.

Former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani surrendered to authorities and later appeared in U.S. District Court on Friday afternoon.

Ippei Mizuhara surrendered to law enforcement Friday and was released shortly after on a $25,000 unsecured bond, commonly known as a signature bond. That means Mizuhara doesn’t need to post any cash or collateral to get the release. If he violates the conditions of the bond, he will have to pay $25,000.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria A. Audero also ordered Mizuhara to undergo treatment for gambling addiction related to the sports bet. Prosecutors said he exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to rob more than $16 million from two-way players’ bank accounts over several years, sometimes impersonating Ohtani for banker so he can cover his bets and debts.

Mizuhara on Friday spoke only in response to the judge’s questions, saying “yes” when Audero asked if he understood certain parts of the case and the conditions of his bail.

Hours after the trial, his attorney Michael G. Freedman released a statement saying Mizuhara hoped to “reach an agreement with the government to resolve this case as quickly as possible so that he can be held accountable.” duty.”

“He would like to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball and his family,” the statement continued. “As noted in court, he also wishes to seek treatment for his gambling addiction. We have no further comment at this time, but Mr. Mizuhara will make further comment as the legal process progresses.” go out.”

Ohtani told the Los Angeles Times on Friday that he was “grateful for the Justice Department investigation.”

“For me personally, this marks a breakthrough and I want to focus on baseball,” he said from Dodger Stadium before the team’s game against the baseball team. San Diego Padres.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was happy that Ohtani had been exonerated and that he and the entire Dodgers “can move forward.”

“I’m glad everything is behind us. I hope it’s all behind us and we can move forward and play baseball.”

Roberts also said he doesn’t see the investigation affecting Ohtani or anyone within the Dodgers.

“He handled it gracefully,” Roberts said. “He did a great job of just focusing on playing baseball and not letting it distract him. Our guys also handled it really well, minus that noise and not let it affect him.” to the match.”

Wearing a dark suit and white collared shirt, Mizuhara entered the courtroom with his ankles shackled but not handcuffed. The judge granted the lawyer’s request to remove the shackles.

Mizuhara turned himself in Friday before his first court appearance. He is charged with bank fraud, which carries a maximum fine of up to $1 million and/or up to 30 years in prison, according to federal sentencing guidelines.

Freedman and prosecutors refused to answer questions from the media outside court after the hearing ended.

Other bond conditions stipulate that Mizuhara is not to gamble, electronically or in person, or go inside any gambling establishment or associate with any known bookmaker.

Mizuhara is also prohibited from contacting any victims or witnesses in the case in any form. He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 9.

Freedman told the judge that his client had planned treatment for gambling addiction.

The hearing lasted about 10 minutes in a courtroom packed with press, mostly Japanese media.

The judge asked Mizuhara to let her know if he did not understand any of the bail conditions when she read them. “This is probably your only chance to interrupt the judge,” she joked.

Mizuhara was ordered to undergo drug testing, surrender his passport and remain under the jurisdiction of the Central District of California. The judge noted his family ties to the area, his longtime residence here and his self-surrender Friday morning when she approved the bond.

The judge also noted that Mizuhara had no criminal record.

Ohtani was not named in the proceedings. Prosecutor Jeff Mitchell, in response to the judge’s question, said only: “The victim has been notified.”

Prosecutors said there was no evidence that Ohtani was involved or knew about Mizuhara’s gambling, and authorities said Ohtani was cooperating with investigators.

Mizuhara was not asked to enter a plea during Friday’s brief trial in downtown Los Angeles. A criminal complaint, filed Thursday, details the alleged scheme through evidence including text messages, financial records and recordings of phone calls.

Major League Baseball launched its own investigation after the controversy broke out, and the Dodgers immediately fired Mizuhara.

Information from ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez and the Associated Press was used in this report.