Former MLB star Yuniesky Betancourt 'facing up to 10 years in prison after being arrested for allegedly STAGING a car crash' as authorities brand ex-shortstop a 'scam artist'

Former MLB shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt could be jailed for up to 10 years after being accused of staging a car crash in Miami.

The 42-year-old, who played for the Mariners, Royals and Brewers, was arrested on Friday and now faces felony charges of filing false insurance claims, organized scheme to defraud, staging an accident and third-degree grand theft. 

Abel Vera, Nancy Mercedes Pena and Maura Perez were detained alongside Betancourt. They are accused of staging the crash to college the insurance payout.

According to the police, the 'staged' crash took place in Miami on December 6, 2022. 

Through evidence, including an accident reconstruction, the authorities determined that 'the accident never occurred as reported to the police and Kemper insurance. 

Nevertheless, 'all four individuals purportedly sought treatment and physical therapy for injuries they never sustained regarding the accident.' 

'Kemper Insurance was billed over $61,000 from the two clinics and paid out over $22,800 for therapy billing of which none of the four individuals were entitled,' the police said.

Betancourt reportedly appeared in court on Friday and left jail on a $4,500 bond on Saturday.

Betancourt lived in Cuba before defecting to the United States. He was signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2005.

Four years later, the shortstop was traded to the Royals, before spending the next four seasons between Kansas City and the Milwaukee Brewers. He is estimated to have earned around $16million during his career.