Former Major League Baseball player and spouse charged in $60,000 youth baseball fraud: DRPS

A former Major League Baseball player and his spouse are facing fraud charges after an investigation into a youth baseball training program that took roughly $60,000 from Durham-area families, Durham Regional Police said.

Police allege parents registered and paid fees for the 2025-2026 season of the Ontario Devil Rays, a youth baseball training program, with the money going to accounts associated with Ontario Devil Rays Inc.

Investigators determined that between April 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025, about $60,000 was deposited into a bank account tied to the organization. According to police, those funds were then transferred to other accounts associated with the two accused.

Police allege the money was never used for the training program, and the services families paid for were not delivered by the Ontario Devil Rays organization.

On October 19, 2025, families received an email stating the business was being dissolved because of financial hardship and that it was claiming bankruptcy. Investigators later determined the lawyer whose name appeared on the email had allegedly been used without his knowledge or permission, and that no bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings had actually been started.

Richard Butler, 53, of Frankford, is charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and uttering a forged document. Michelle Butler, 52, of Frankford, faces the same three charges.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and there are concerns there may be additional victims, including families in Ajax and across Durham Region who enrolled children in the program.

How to come forward

Anyone with information, or who believes they may have been victimized in similar circumstances, is asked to contact Detective Constable Peden of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5241.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The charges have not been tested in court. The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.