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Ex-Blue Jay Charged in Youth Baseball Fraud Scheme
21 Oct
Summary
- Former Blue Jay Rich Butler and wife charged with fraud.
- Thousands of dollars allegedly taken from youth baseball families.
- Program dissolved, bankruptcy claimed, but no evidence found.
A Canadian-born former Toronto Blue Jay, Rich Butler, has been charged with fraud. The charges stem from allegations that he and his wife, Michelle, defrauded families connected to the Ontario Devil Rays youth baseball program. Durham Regional Police Service reports that the couple allegedly took thousands of dollars from parents.
Investigations indicate that between April 1 and October 31 of 2025, approximately $60,000 was deposited into accounts related to the program. These funds were subsequently transferred into accounts linked to the Butlers. In October 2025, an email informed families that the Devil Rays program was dissolving due to financial issues and declaring bankruptcy. However, police found no evidence that a bankruptcy filing occurred.
