LOS ANGELES>> The former Japanese interpreter for two-way baseball star Shohei Ohtani surrendered to a federal prison in Pennsylvania on Monday, beginning a nearly five-year prison sentence for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player.

Ippei Mizuhara, 40, was processed at a low security federal prison in Allenwood, Pa., his attorney Michael Freedman confirmed.

Mizuhara was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana in February to four years and nine months for bank and tax fraud. He must pay $18 million in restitution, with nearly $17 million going to Ohtani and the rest to the IRS.

Authorities said Mizuhara began accessing Ohtani’s account beginning in 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate Ohtani to authorize wire transfers. He has admitted to using the money to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, in addition to purchasing $325,000 worth of baseball cards and paying his own dental bills.