Mizuhara Ippei, former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani Shohei, apparently impersonated the baseball player in a phone call to a bank to transfer money.

The US Justice Department released on January 23 a recording of Mizuhara speaking with a bank operator.

Prosecutors submitted the recording as evidence in the trial of Mizuhara who is charged with bank fraud and tax fraud over stealing money from Ohtani.

S/ Bank operator / Who am I speaking with?

S/ Mizuhara Ippei / Shohei Ohtani.

S/ Bank operator / Thank you. How may I help you?

S/ Mizuhara Ippei / So I tried to log in to online banking and it tells me that it's not available to me at this time and I need to call.

With the phone call, Mizuhara was able to implement the transfer of 200,000 dollars to a "friend" purportedly for a car loan.

Prosecutors have pointed out that the defendant was motivated by greed rather than his gambling addiction.

They are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months and a payment of about 17 million dollars in compensation to Ohtani.

But lawyers for Mizuhara are arguing that he is addicted to gambling and asking for a reduced term of 18 months for extenuating circumstances as he has been subject to social sanctions, has no income and is relying on his parents.

Mizuhara is set to be sentenced on February 6.