Ryan Boyajian — the fiancé of “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Jennifer Pedranti — is reportedly embroiled in a $16 million gambling and theft scheme involving the former interpreter for Japanese Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani.
ESPN reported on Wednesday that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara wired money to Boyajian to pay his gambling debts.
The same day, according to the U.S. Attoney’s office, Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to two federal charges related to the theft of nearly $17 million from the MLB star’s bank account.
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Mizuhara — who could face more than 30 years in federal prison under the plea deal — used that money to pay off illegal gambling debts, per prosecutors.
Mizuhara’s illegal bookmaker told the interpreter he could pay his gambling debts by wiring money to “Associate 1” who, according to ESPN, is Boyajian.
“Mizuhara regularly logged into Ohtani’s bank account and initiated wire transfers from the account to the bookmaker and his associates as payments for gambling debts,” a statement from the office of United States Attorney Martin Estrada reads.
“For example, on June 20, 2023, Mizuhara accessed the account without Ohtani’s permission and transferred $500,000 to one of the bookmaker’s associates.”
Steven Katzman, Boyajian’s criminal attorney, told ESPN that his client is working with federal authorities, while sources said that the reality star received immunity in return for his testimony.
“Because there is an active investigation and Ryan is working with the authorities, he can’t confirm or deny what is going on,” Katzman said. “He is not a bookmaker or a sub-bookie.”
Boyajian’s legal team didn’t have further comment on the matter when contacted by Page Six.
Boyajian and the alleged illegal bookmaker in question — who ESPN identified as Mathew Bowyer — reportedly spent Mizuhara’s payments in “marker” accounts at casinos.
After depositing the payments, ESPN reported, the men would then withdraw “the chips from the marker accounts, gambled with them and if they won, cashed out.”
Boyajian made his reality TV debut in 2023’s “RHOC” Season 17 alongside Pedranti, who recently wrapped filming Season 18 of Bravo’s original “Housewives” series.
Pedranti had no comment when contacted by Page Six via her rep.
