Former big-league shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who appeared in components of 9 MLB seasons, is dealing with as much as 10 years in jail if he is convicted following an arrest final week in Miami-Dade County on a number of fees. These embrace staged accident, insurance coverage fraud, organized scheme to defraud, and grand theft, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis introduced.
Betancourt, 42, is alleged to have been a part of a four-person scheme that staged a automotive crash and faked accidents to defraud Kemper Insurance coverage. The state’s investigation discovered that “after the accident report date, all 4 people purportedly sought remedy and bodily remedy for accidents they by no means sustained concerning the accident,” in keeping with a press launch. “Kemper Insurance coverage was billed over $61,000 from the 2 clinics and paid out over $22,800 for remedy billing of which not one of the 4 people have been entitled.”
“It would not matter how intelligent you assume your scheme could also be, when you commit fraud in Florida, you’ll be caught and delivered to justice,” Patronis stated in an announcement. “Staging accidents is extremely harmful and fraud like this prices each Floridian within the type of greater auto insurance coverage premiums. We should proceed to work collectively to do every little thing we will to uncover these fraud schemes and produce these rip-off artists to justice.”
Betancourt spent most of his profession with the Seattle Mariners, although he additionally suited up for the Kansas Metropolis Royals and the Milwaukee Brewers, whom he joined as a part of the six-player swap that additionally included Zack Greinke. Total, he hit .261/.285/.388 (80 OPS+) with 80 dwelling runs and 30 stolen bases.
Though Betancourt made his closing big-league look in 2013, he continued to play professionally for an additional handful of years. He took turns enjoying in Japan, Mexico, and on the winter-league circuit. His closing recorded appearances got here as a part of Aguilas de Mexicali throughout the 2018-19 Mexican Pacific Winter League.
Betancourt was estimated to have earned practically $16 million all through his enjoying profession, in keeping with Baseball Reference’s wage database.
