Ex-Dodger Ted Lilly avoids jail in fraud case with plea agreement

Don’t try to figure it. Some things are just beyond us. Like F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, the rich are different from you and me. Maybe rich athletes from modest backgrounds even more so.

Regardless, the curious case of ex-Dodger Ted Lilly and the alleged false claim on his $210,000 recreational vehicle has come to a close without the left-hander ending up a felon.

Lilly avoided three felony counts of insurance fraud with a plea deal Thursday that will allow him to avoid jail time.

There was a punishment, however. Lilly will pay a $2,500 fine, serve two years of informal probation and perform 250 hours of local community service.

Lilly did not appear in the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, but his attorney entered a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor count of insurance fraud. The other two charges were dropped in the plea agreement.

Said Lilly through a statement his attorney read: “I would like to apologize for the terrible error in judgment which has led to the present situation. My actions do not reflect the way I choose to live. I am very much determined to earn back a reputation of trust and transparency.”

All this for a $4,600 claim for damage to his RV. The California Department of Insurance said Lilly received the estimate last March 19, then bought insurance five days later before making the claim.

Lilly made more than $80 million during his 15-year career, the last four of which were spent with the Dodgers.

Follow Steve Dilbeck on Twitter @stevedilbeck