Ex-MLB Player Richard Butler and Wife Charged in $60K Youth Baseball Fraud Scheme
Authorities allege the couple took registration fees for a non-existent program.
Former Major League Baseball player Richard Butler and his wife, Michelle, have been charged in connection with an alleged youth baseball fraud scheme that defrauded families of approximately $60,000.
The couple is accused of collecting registration fees from parents for the Ontario Devil Rays’ 2025-26 baseball program, which was operated by Butler’s training company. Investigators state that the funds were deposited into accounts associated with the organization before being transferred to accounts linked to the Butlers.
Butler and his wife face multiple charges, including fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and uttering a forged document. The alleged scheme came to light when the organization informed families in October 2025 that it was ceasing operations due to financial difficulties and bankruptcy.
However, investigators later determined that no bankruptcy proceedings had been filed. Furthermore, a lawyer who was reportedly named in the shutdown announcement had allegedly not been informed, with his name being used without his consent. Police are investigating the possibility of additional victims in the case.
Richard Butler, originally from Ontario, played parts of three seasons in the majors between 1997 and 1999 for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. During his MLB career, he appeared in 86 games, recording a .223 batting average with seven home runs and 22 runs batted in. His brother, Rob Butler, was part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 1993 World Series-winning team and also played four seasons in the major leagues.
