Durham Region Police – Professional Baseball Player and Spouse Charged in Fraud Investigation (Names Released)
A former Major League Baseball player and his spouse have been charged in connection with a fraud investigation involving a youth baseball training program.
In 2025, families registered and paid fees for the 2025-2026 Ontario Devil Rays baseball
training program. Payments were made to accounts associated with Ontario Devil Rays Inc., by parents who enrolled their children into the program.
Investigators determined that between April 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025, approximately $60,000 was deposited into a bank account associated with Ontario Devil Rays.
Funds from this account were subsequently transferred to other accounts associated with the suspects. Investigators allege the funds were not used for the training program and the services initially agreed upon were not provided by the Ontario Devil Rays organization.
On October 19, 2025, families were advised by email that the business was being dissolved due to financial hardship and claiming bankruptcy. 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.
Police have concerns there may be further victims.
Richard BUTLER, age 53, of Frankford, is charged with: Fraud Over $5,000 x1, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x1 and Uttering a Forged Document x1.
Michelle BUTLER, age 52, of Frankford, is charged with: Fraud Over $5,000 x1, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x1 and Uttering a Forged Document x1.
Anyone with information about this incident or who believes they may have been a victim in a similar circumstance is asked to contact D/Cst. Peden of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5241.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love