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A former Major League Baseball player and his wife have been charged after a fraud investigation into an Ontario youth baseball program, which allegedly took thousands of dollars for training it never provided, Durham police say.
Between April 1 and Oct. 31 of last year, approximately $60,000 in registration fees for the 2025-2026 Ontario Devil Rays training program was deposited into a bank account associated with the program, police said in a news release Tuesday. But funds were later transferred to other accounts associated with the accused — Michelle Butler, 52, and former big leaguer Richard Butler, 53, both of Frankford, Ont.
The registration fees were allegedly not used for the program, and the services agreed upon were not provided, police said.
Families who paid the registration received an email on Oct. 19, 2025, saying the business had been dissolved due to financial hardship and claiming bankruptcy, police said. But investigators later determined the lawyer’s name on the email “had allegedly been used without his knowledge or permission, and no bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings were initiated,” the release said.
Rich Butler spent parts of three seasons in the big leagues, including a long stint with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the team’s first season. (Getty Images, David Seelig/Allsport)
Richard and Michelle Butler have now been charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and uttering a forged document.
Richard played parts of three seasons in the big leagues, including seven games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and 79 games for the Tampa Bay Rays between 1998 and 1999, according to the Major League Baseball website.
His brother, Rob Butler, is also a former Blue Jay and was part of the team’s 1993 World Series championship. He now manages the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League, according to the club’s website.
The Ontario Devil Rays competed in the Fergie Jenkins Showcase League (FJSL), based in Welland, Ont.
The league said in a statement that it was not involved in and had no knowledge of the team’s “dealings with parents or the collection and use of their payments,” as member teams operate independently.
Police encourage victims to come forward
The investigation began in early spring last year after parents approached police, Const. Bharat Sharma told CBC News.
Richard was the owner of the program, he said. Michelle was directly involved in operations, but Sharma said it’s “uncertain” whether she was also an owner.
Sharma would not say how many families have been affected by the alleged fraud, but said police are concerned there may be further victims.
“A lot of times, people don’t want to come forward, sometimes out of embarrassment, sometimes out of concern of retaliation,” he said.
“But we want to remind the families that you’re not alone.”
This investigation comes after a separate police probe into the Ajax FC Soccer club. Two people employed at the club were charged after allegedly defrauding more than $650,000 of league funds, police said in a news release in September.
Sharma said parents should take precautions before choosing a sports program for their child.
“Trust your gut, go with the reputable sports organizations, and ask the questions you feel may be necessary before you enroll your children into programs,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham police.