Alex Rodriguez Accused of Racketeering, Embezzlement by Ex-Brother-in-Law

Former MLB star Alex Rodriguez has been accused of racketeering and embezzlement in a lawsuit filed by his former brother-in-law, Constantine Scurtis, according to the New York Post's Joe Tacopino. 

Katherine Eskovitz, an attorney for Scurtis, wrote in the suit Rodriguez "and his co-conspirators engaged in a pattern of racketeering and embezzlement" as part of a real-estate deal in Florida which Scurtis says he was pushed out of.

This is merely the latest entry in a legal battle that dates back to 2015. 

The New York Daily News' Christian Red reported at the time Scurtis had filed a $100 million civil suit against Rodriguez.

Scurtis alleged he had received a $388,000 lien on his home from the IRS due to false information Rodriguez had filed on a tax return.

Another claim centered around Newport Property Ventures Ltd., the real-estate business Rodriguez and Scurtis shared. Scurtis alleges Stuart Zook, Newport's chief operating officer, told an employee to keep separate books detailing damage to the company's properties from Hurricane Ike in 2008. One financial log allegedly detailed accurate estimates while another was made up of fraudulent numbers.

Scurtis said he wasn't aware of the alleged insurance fraud, nor did he know of Rodriguez settling a separate suit about the matter.

His complaint also said the 14-time All-Star "violated his Fiduciary duties to Scurtis at least 24 times" by selling off properties they owned without his approval.

Last June, a Florida judge opened the door for Scurtis to seek punitive damages against Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has filed a countersuit denying Scurtis' allegations.