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‘RHOC’ star Jennifer Pedranti’s fiancé is reportedly embroiled in a $16 million MLB gambling case
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Ryan Boyajian – the fiancé of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” star Jennifer Pedranti – is reportedly embroiled in a $16 million gambling and theft case involving former Japanese translator for Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani.
He reported to ESPN on Wednesday, translator Ippei Mizuhara sent Boyajian money to pay off his gambling debts.
The same day, the U.S. attorney’s office said, Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to two federal charges related to stealing nearly $17 million from the MLB star’s bank account.
Prosecutors say Mizuhara, who faces more than 30 years in federal prison under the plea agreement, used the money to pay off debts related to illegal gambling.
Mizuhara’s illegal bookmaker told a translator that he could pay off his gambling debts by sending money to “Associate 1,” who ESPN reports is Boyajian.
“Mizuhara regularly logged into Ohtani’s bank account and initiated wire transfers from that account to the bookmaker and his associates to repay gambling debts,” read a statement from U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada’s office.
“For example, on June 20, 2023, Mizuhara accessed the account without Ohtani’s consent and transferred $500,000 to one of the bookmaker’s associates.”
Steven Katzman, Boyajian’s criminal attorney, told ESPN that his client is cooperating with federal authorities, while sources say the reality star received immunity in exchange for his testimony.
“Because this is an active investigation and Ryan is cooperating with authorities, he cannot confirm or deny what is happening,” Katzman said. “It is not a bookmaker or a subbook.”
Boyajian’s legal team had no further comment on the matter when contacted by Page Six.
Boyajian and the alleged illegal bookie in question – whom ESPN identified as Mathew Bowyer – reportedly spent Mizuhara’s payments on “marker” accounts at casinos.
After depositing the payment, the men would withdraw “chips from branded accounts, play with them, and if they won, withdraw them,” according to ESPN.
Boyajian made his reality TV debut on Season 17 of “RHOC” in 2023 alongside Pedranti, who recently wrapped filming on Season 18 of the Bravo original series “The Housewives.”
Pedranti did not comment on any comments when contacted by Page Six through her representative.
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