The former interpreter for Major League Baseball superstar Ohtani Shohei has asked a court to delay the sentencing for his bank and fraud charges.
Mizuhara Ippei has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly 17 million dollars from Ohtani’s bank account and filing a false tax return.
His sentencing is scheduled for October 25. But a court document shows that his lawyer asked for a postponement to December 20.
The lawyer says Mizuhara is “seeking a forensic psychiatrist to evaluate him with respect to gambling and to prepare a report for the Court’s review,” and that this process cannot be completed by the current deadline.
His charges could carry a maximum punishment of 33 years in prison, but he is likely to receive a lighter sentence because he has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.