The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case.

Ippei Mizuhara has admitted that he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.

Mizuhara entred the plea Tuesday in federal court in Santa Ana, California.

Baseball fans from the U.S. to Japan were shocked when the news broke in March. Mizuhara was initially charged with one count of bank fraud and agreed to a plea deal. Authorities say there was no evidence Ohtani was involved in or aware of Mizuhara’s gambling, and the player is cooperating with investigators.