LOS ANGELES The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded not guilty Tuesday to bank and tax fraud, a formality ahead of a plea deal hes negotiated with federal prosecutors in a . Prosecutors say from Ohtani to pay off sports gambling debts during a yearslong scheme, at times impersonating Ohtani to bankers, and with the two-way player. Mizuhara signed a plea agreement that on May 5, and prosecutors announced it several days later. Ippei Mizuhara, center, the former longtime interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani, leaves federal court following his arraignment, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Los Angeles. AP During his arraignment Tuesday in federal court in Los Angeles, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth asked Mizuhara to enter a plea to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. The expected not-guilty plea was a procedural step as the case moves forward, even though he has already agreed to the plea deal. Explore More Defense attorney Michael G. Freedman said Mizuhara planned to plead guilty in the future. In the hallway before the hearing, Freedman said they would not comment Tuesday. Ippei Mizuhara departs federal court after his arraignment in Los Angeles, California, on May 14, 2024. Shohei Ohtanis former interpreter, Mizuhara, has agreed to plead guilty over charges of illegally transferring nearly $17 million from the baseball stars bank account in order to pay off gambling debts. AFP via Getty Trent Frederic Jersey Images Members of the media were not allowed inside the main courtroom and instead were seated in an audio-only overflow room. The A sociated Pre s and other outlets filed a complaint with the court clerk and chief district judge. Mizuhara only spoke to answer the judges questions, with responses like yes, maam when asked whether he understood the proceedings. There wasno evidence Ohtani was involved inor aware of Mizuharas gambling, and the player iscooperating with investigators, authorities said. What to know about Shohei Ohtani's accusations against his former interpreter Lawyers representing Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani have accused his now-former interpreter and longtime friend Ippei Mizuhara . Mizuhara, who followed the from the Angels after he signed a 10-year, $700 million deal this offseason, reportedly accrued ma sive gambling debts he needed to pay off. Mizuhara first told ESPN Ohtani offered to pay off the debt and later changed his story, insisting the of the eight-nine wire transfers made from his accounts to an alleged illegal bookmaker. Ohtanis camp has disavowed Mizuharas initial story, per ESPN. He was fired shortly after the Dodgers season opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea, and Ohtani has yet to publicly addre s the situation, though his camp is amid an IRS probe. I never bet on baseball, Mizuhara told ESPN. Thats 100%. I knew that rule. We have a meeting about that in spring training. All sides claim Ohtani has no involvement in any gambling. Mizuharas plea agreement says he will be required to pay Ohtani restitution that could total nearly $17 million, as well as more than $1 million to the IRS. Those amounts could change prior to sentencing. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, and the false tax return charge carries a sentence of up to three years in federal prison. Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole millions of Shohei Ohtanis money. Getty Images Mizuharas winning bets totaled over $142 million, which he deposited in his own bank account and not Ohtanis. But his losing bets were around $183 million, a net lo s of nearly $41 million. He did not wager on baseball. He is free on an unsecured $25,000 bond, colloquially known as a signature bond, meaning he did not have to put up any cash or collateral to be freed. If he violates the bond conditions which include a requirement to undergo gambling addiction treatment he will be on the hook for $25,000. Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani, leaves federal court following his arraignment, Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in Los Angeles. AP The judge set a status conference for June 14. The Los Angeles TimesandESPNbroke the news of the prosecution in late March, prompting the Dodgers to fire the interpreter and theMLB to open its own investigation. MLB rulesprohibit players and team employeesfrom wagering on baseball, even legally. MLB also bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers. Ohtani has sought to focus on the field as the case winds through the courts. Hours after his ex-interpreter first appeared in court in April, he hit his175th home run in MLB tying Hideki Matsui for the during the Dodgers 8-7 lo s to the San Diego Padres in 11 innings. Elias Lindholm Jersey