US federal prosecutors say they have brought criminal charges against the former interpreter of Major League Baseball player Ohtani Shohei. They accuse Mizuhara Ippei of wiring more than 16 million dollars from the Japanese star's bank account.

Mizuhara has been charged with bank fraud.

Authorities say he maintained access to a bank account that he helped Ohtani set up, but refused to give access to other professional advisers including Ohtani's agent, accountant and financial advisor.

Mizuhara reportedly told them Ohtani wanted to keep that account private.

US Attorney for Central District of California Martin Estrada said investigators have obtained recordings of telephone calls in which Mizuhara "spoke with bank employees and lied to them about being Mr. Ohtani."

Authorities say they interviewed Ohtani last week, adding that he gave them access to his digital devices.

Estrada pointed out that Ohtani is considered a victim. He said, "There is no evidence to indicate that Mr. Ohtani authorized the over $16 million of transfers from his account to the bookmaker's."

The prosecutors have also disclosed more details about Mizuhara's alleged gambling habits.

The complaint says he placed some 19,000 bets between December 2021 and January this year, sometimes wagering as much as 160,000 dollars and losing more than 40 million dollars in total.

Exchanges between a bookmaker and Mizuhara indicate that the winnings were deposited to his personal account.

The interactions show Mizuhara negotiated to raise the maximum betting amount, saying there was no need to worry about payment.

In one message Mizuhara sent to the bookmaker, he acknowledged illegally accessing Ohtani's account.

Authorities say Mizuhara could make his first Los Angeles court appearance as early as Friday.