The former interpreter for Major League Baseball star Ohtani Shohei, Mizuhara Ippei, has appeared in public for the first time in nearly a month. He surrendered to federal authorities and attended a court hearing over charges that he stole more than 16 million dollars.

The authorities say Mizuhara was taken into custody on Friday morning in Los Angeles. He has been charged with bank fraud and, if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and/or a fine of one million dollars.

Mizuhara appeared at a brief court hearing in the afternoon and was released on a bond of 25,000 dollars. He must also adhere to other conditions, including not engaging in gambling and having no contact with Ohtani. After the hearing, he and his lawyers did not take questions from reporters, despite having earlier said they would.

Mizuhara was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers last month after US media outlets reported he was allegedly involved in illegal gambling. Prosecutors say that he began placing bets with an illegal bookmaker in September 2021 and started losing large sums of money.

They say he then changed the contact information on Ohtani's bank account to give himself access. He also allegedly impersonated Ohtani in phone calls to the bank to ensure large wire transfers to his bookmakers.

He is believed to have carried out the crime without Ohtani's knowledge or permission. Prosecutors stressed that they believe Ohtani to be a "victim" in the case.