Former MLB Star Yuniesky Betancourt Caught in Miami-Dade Insurance Fraud Sting

Miami – Four people were labeled “scam artists” by state officials after they were arrested in Miami-Dade County on suspicion of insurance fraud, including a former shortstop for Major League Baseball.

Cuban-born Yuniesky Betancourt, 42, played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Milwaukee Brewers during his nine seasons at the top level of baseball. His pro career concluded in Japan in 2014, and he last participated in major league baseball in 2013.

According to records, he showed up in Miami-Dade court on Friday.

approximately his major league career, he earned approximately $15.7 million, according to Baseball Reference. Authorities claimed that he was a participant in a scheme that paid out $61,000.

Along with four other people, he is suspected of pulling off a common fraud in South Florida: fabricating an automobile accident to collect insurance premiums.

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Betancourt is suspected of defrauding Kemper, an insurance company located in Chicago, along with the other suspects, Maura Perez, Nancy Mercedes Pena, and Abel Vera.

The arrests were made by Florida Department of Financial Services investigators.

The four were charged with four felonies: fabricating an accident, organizing a fraud scheme, making fraudulent insurance claims, and third-degree grand theft.

Records from the court indicate that the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office is Betancourt’s legal representative.

Per those documents, he was released from custody on a $4,500 bond on Saturday.