Former MLB player and wife charged in youth baseball fraud

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 13:08 · Archive

Former MLB player Richard Butler and his wife face fraud charges over an alleged $60,000 youth baseball scheme in Canada.

Former MLB player Richard Butler and his wife Michelle have been charged with fraud in connection with an alleged $60,000 youth baseball scheme in Ontario, Canada. Families enrolled their children in the Ontario Devil Rays' 2025-26 baseball program, paying registration fees for training services that investigators say were never provided.

According to the New York Post, approximately $60,000 was deposited into an account associated with the organization in 2025 before being transferred to other accounts linked to the couple. Both face charges of fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and uttering a forged document. The organization informed families in October 2025 that it was shutting down due to financial difficulties and bankruptcy.

Investigators later determined that no bankruptcy proceedings had been initiated and that a lawyer named in the shutdown email had been identified without his knowledge or permission. Police believe there may be additional victims. Butler, an Ontario native, played parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 1997-99, appearing in 86 games.

How it is being reported

• Ex-MLB star Richard Butler and his wife accused of $60,000 fraud over youth baseball schemeThe Canadian played for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Now he has been charged over an alleged youth baseball fraud worth $60,000.Daily Mail Sport · 21 Oct, 12:43
• Former MLB player, wife charged in $60K youth baseball fraudFormer MLB player Richard Butler and his wife face fraud charges for allegedly stealing $60,000 from families in a youth baseball scheme.New York Post · 21 Oct, 00:16

In this story: Richard Butler · Michelle Butler · Ontario Devil Rays · Toronto Blue Jays · Tampa Bay Devil Rays · Ontario

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