Ryan Boyajian, the fiancé of “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Jennifer Pedranti, finds himself entangled in a complex $16 million gambling and theft scheme linked to a former interpreter for Japanese Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani.
According to ESPN reports on Wednesday, interpreter Ippei Mizuhara allegedly wired funds to Boyajian to settle his gambling debts. Simultaneously, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced Mizuhara’s agreement to plead guilty to federal charges associated with the embezzlement of nearly $17 million from the MLB star’s bank account.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Mizuhara faces a potential sentence of over 30 years in federal prison for misappropriating funds to cover illicit gambling debts.
Prosecutors claim that Mizuhara transferred money from Ohtani’s bank account to the illegal bookmaker and his associates, with Boyajian purportedly identified as “Associate 1.” These wire transfers were allegedly made without Ohtani’s knowledge or consent, funneling substantial sums to settle gambling obligations.
In response to these allegations, Steven Katzman, Boyajian’s criminal attorney, asserted that his client is cooperating with federal authorities. Sources suggest that Boyajian may have received immunity in exchange for providing testimony.
While Katzman declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation, Boyajian’s involvement remains a subject of scrutiny, with assertions that he is not directly involved in bookmaking activities.
Meanwhile, Boyajian and the alleged illegal bookmaker, identified by ESPN as Mathew Bowyer, purportedly utilized Mizuhara’s payments to establish “marker” accounts at casinos. Subsequently, they would convert these funds into casino chips, gamble with them, and cash out any winnings.
Boyajian, who made his reality TV debut on “RHOC” Season 17 alongside Jennifer Pedranti, is now embroiled in a legal ordeal overshadowing his association with the popular Bravo franchise. While Jennifer Pedranti has completed filming for Season 18 of “RHOC,” Boyajian’s legal predicament casts a shadow over their personal and professional lives.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the repercussions of Boyajian’s alleged involvement in the gambling scheme may reverberate throughout the reality TV landscape.