Former Royals player accused of staging car accident for insurance purposes

Yuniesky Betancourt, who had two stints with the Royals more than a decade ago, was arrested last week in Florida and charged with staging a car accident in an effort to defraud an insurance company.

Jimmy Patronis, chief financial officer of the state of Florida, announced charges against Betancourt and three others: Abel Vera, Nancy Mercedes Pena and Maura Perez. They were arrested Friday and booked on charges of staged accident, insurance fraud, organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.

A news release said Betancourt and the other three falsely documented the accident with police after staging it.

“The four had a goal of reporting the accident to the automobile insurance company, Kemper Insurance, to exploit the personal injury and protection (PIP) benefits associated with the auto policy for financial gain,” according to the release.

They allegedly staged the car accident on Dec. 6, 2022, and Kemper Insurance was billed more than $61,000.

If convicted, all four face up to 10 years in prison. Local10.com said Betancort posted bond and was released from jail on Saturday.

Betancourt, 42, played for the Royals in 2009-10 before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a six-player deal that brought Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar to Kansas City.

After one season with the Brewers, Betancourt signed back with the Royals as a free agent. He played 57 games in the 2012 season with the Royals before being released.