Video above: New York Knicks win 2026 NBA ChampionshipAn Orlando resident was arrested on accusations of scamming a former New York Yankees player out of $1 million.Steven H. Minard, 57, was booked into the Orange County Jail on Wednesday, June 10, in Florida, and is facing charges of scheme to defraud more than $50,000 and sale of unregistered security.According to the Office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, on May 8, an investigation revealed that Minard allegedly led a scheme to defraud a high-profile investor of $1 million by promoting a nonexistent multi-billion-dollar development project known as Orlando World Live (OWL).Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsCourt documents in Orange County note that National Baseball Hall of Fame member and former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was the victim of the crime.Between August 2021 and September 2023, Minard attempted to deceive and defraud Rivera. Court documents note that Minard relayed information to Rivera’s assistant about the business opportunity with OWL.Rivera was introduced to Minard and another person about the investment.OWL was presented to the investor, but it lacked any verifiable contracts, agreements or substantiated operational plans.Rivera entered into an agreement with Minard and OWL by providing a $1 million investment with the expectation of a 30% annual return.Minard is accused of not providing Rivera with critical information regarding the legal, permitting, and accounting requirements of the project. He is accused of pressuring Rivera to make an additional investment and said he did not have to provide information because the initial investment was minor.Court documents note that Minard agreed to return $1.4 million, including interest to Rivera.Instead of receiving his investment back, Rivera allegedly received fabricated bank statements and falsified wire transfer records to mislead Rivera that a repayment was on the way.No funds were returned to Rivera.Funds received were used to pay Minard’s pre-existing debts unrelated to OWL, along with personal expenses. The Florida Attorney General’s Office’s Special Counsel will prosecute the case.Milard was initially taken into custody while attempting to board a flight in Honolulu, Hawaii, that was scheduled to fly to Houston, Texas.Minard was then transferred to Orange County Jail in Florida.“This case exemplifies the reach of our Statewide Prosecutors, who partner with state, local, and federal law enforcement to bring criminals back to Florida to face justice,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a May 8 statement. “Thanks to the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, our federal partners at HSI New York EDTF, HSI Orlando, HSI Honolulu, and the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement for their collaboration on this investigation and arrest.”Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.The Florida Office of Financial Regulation, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York El Dorado Task Force were involved in the investigation.Minard remains in the Orange County Jail with a court date scheduled for June 22.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Video above: New York Knicks win 2026 NBA Championship
An Orlando resident was arrested on accusations of scamming a former New York Yankees player out of $1 million.
Steven H. Minard, 57, was booked into the Orange County Jail on Wednesday, June 10, in Florida, and is facing charges of scheme to defraud more than $50,000 and sale of unregistered security.
orange county sheriff’s office
Steven Harry Minard
According to the Office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, on May 8, an investigation revealed that Minard allegedly led a scheme to defraud a high-profile investor of $1 million by promoting a nonexistent multi-billion-dollar development project known as Orlando World Live (OWL).
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
Getty ImagesDaniel Shirey
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 15: Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera talks with media during the WFAN Subway Series broadcast at the MLB NYC Flagship Store on Friday, May 15, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Court documents in Orange County note that National Baseball Hall of Fame member and former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was the victim of the crime.
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BRONX, NY – AUGUST 24: Mariano Rivera salutes the crowd during the New York Yankees Old Timers Day on August 24, 2024 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Between August 2021 and September 2023, Minard attempted to deceive and defraud Rivera.
Court documents note that Minard relayed information to Rivera’s assistant about the business opportunity with OWL.
Rivera was introduced to Minard and another person about the investment.
OWL was presented to the investor, but it lacked any verifiable contracts, agreements or substantiated operational plans.
Rivera entered into an agreement with Minard and OWL by providing a $1 million investment with the expectation of a 30% annual return.
Minard is accused of not providing Rivera with critical information regarding the legal, permitting, and accounting requirements of the project. He is accused of pressuring Rivera to make an additional investment and said he did not have to provide information because the initial investment was minor.
Court documents note that Minard agreed to return $1.4 million, including interest to Rivera.
Instead of receiving his investment back, Rivera allegedly received fabricated bank statements and falsified wire transfer records to mislead Rivera that a repayment was on the way.
No funds were returned to Rivera.
Funds received were used to pay Minard’s pre-existing debts unrelated to OWL, along with personal expenses.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office’s Special Counsel will prosecute the case.
Milard was initially taken into custody while attempting to board a flight in Honolulu, Hawaii, that was scheduled to fly to Houston, Texas.
Minard was then transferred to Orange County Jail in Florida.
“This case exemplifies the reach of our Statewide Prosecutors, who partner with state, local, and federal law enforcement to bring criminals back to Florida to face justice,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a May 8 statement. “Thanks to the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, our federal partners at HSI New York EDTF, HSI Orlando, HSI Honolulu, and the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement for their collaboration on this investigation and arrest.”
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York El Dorado Task Force were involved in the investigation.
Minard remains in the Orange County Jail with a court date scheduled for June 22.