Ohtani's ex-interpreter to plead guilty to fraud

The former interpreter of Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to US charges that he illegally transferred nearly $17m (£14m) from the athlete's bank account.

In a deal between Ippei Mizuhara and Los Angeles prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to counts of bank fraud and subscribing to a false tax return.

Prosecutors say he used the LA Dodgers star's money to pay off his own debts.

The case shocked baseball fans in Japan and America when news broke in March.

"The extent of this defendant's deception and theft is massive," US Attorney Martin Estrada said. "He took advantage of his position of trust to take advantage of Mr Ohtani and fuel a dangerous gambling habit."

The bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and the false tax return charge carries a sentence of up to three years in jail.

Mr Mizuhara, 39, was fired in March as news of the allegations emerged.