Richard Butler and Wife Charged in Youth Baseball Fraud

Former Major League Baseball player Richard Butler and his wife, Michelle Butler, face fraud charges in Ontario after police alleged a youth baseball training program took in $60,000 from families and provided no services. CTV News Toronto reported the investigation, centering on the Durham region and the Ontario Devil Rays program.

The Ontario Devil Rays Investigation and Fraud Charges

Investigators stated that parents paid registration fees into accounts tied to Ontario Devil Rays for the 2025 to 2026 youth baseball season. Between April 1 and October 31, 2025, approximately $60,000 entered the organization’s bank accounts. Police alleged those funds transferred to accounts belonging to the suspects rather than supporting the youth sports program.

The operation unraveled following an October 19, 2025 message sent to enrolled families. That notification claimed the business was dissolving due to financial difficulties and bankruptcy. Police stated the email used the name of a lawyer without permission or knowledge, and no bankruptcy or insolvency legal proceedings had actually been initiated.

Richard Butler, 53, of Frankford, Ontario, faces charges of fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and use of forged documents. Michelle Butler, 52, also of Frankford, faces identical charges.

Butler Brothers Played MLB as Police Seek More Victims

Richard Butler attended East York High School and played three MLB seasons, appearing for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 and 1999. His brother, Rob Butler, played four MLB seasons and won the 1993 World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays, later managing the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League starting in 2023.

Durham police believe additional families may have been affected by the scheme. Authorities urged anyone with similar experiences or information regarding the Ontario Devil Rays project to contact local investigators.