Former Toronto Blue Jay, Wife Accused in $60K Youth Baseball Fraud
Police allege about $60,000 in registration fees was diverted and no training services were delivered to families.
- On Tuesday, Durham Regional Police charged former Toronto Blue Jays player Richard Butler and his wife, Michelle Butler, with fraud and possession of property obtained by crime involving an alleged $60,000 youth baseball scheme.
- Between April 1 and October 31, 2025, families deposited approximately $60,000 into accounts for the Ontario Devil Rays training program; investigators allege funds were transferred to personal accounts and services were never provided.
- Families received an email on October 19, 2025, claiming the organization was dissolving due to bankruptcy; police allege the message used a lawyer's name without permission and no insolvency proceedings occurred.
- Authorities are seeking additional victims who may have been affected, asking anyone with information to contact Durham Regional Crime Stoppers, where tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
- Butler spent parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays; his brother, Rob Butler, was a member of the 1993 World Series-winning Blue Jays.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Ex-Toronto Blue Jays player Richard Butler and wife accused of defrauding baseball families
Former Toronto Blue Jays player Richard Butler and his wife have been charged in connection with an alleged $60,000 fraud involving a youth baseball training programme in Ontario.Richard Butler, 53,...
Former Blue Jays player, wife accused of defrauding families $60,000 in youth baseball program
Richard Butler, a Toronto-born outfielder signed by the Jays in 1990 is accused of taking funds from a Ontario Devil Rays baseball training program that never delivered on the services it promised.
Former MLB player, wife charged with fraud linked to youth baseball program
Former big leaguer Richard Butler and his wife, Michelle, have been charged after a fraud investigation into the Ontario Devil Rays baseball training program, which allegedly took thousands of dollars for training it never provided, Durham police say.
Former Toronto Blue Jay, wife accused in $60K youth baseball fraud
A former Major League Baseball player with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays and his spouse have been charged after allegedly defrauding families who enrolled their children in a youth baseball training program in Durham Region.
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