| Sourced from 5 independent sources (6 reports) · no points in dispute |
Winnipeg Free Press, TorontoToday, CP24, TSN, and OrilliaMatters
Every key fact in this report is confirmed by more than one independent source.
6 key facts · 6 corroborated · none disputed
Why some reports were counted once
OrilliaMatters and inSauga — the same report, published near-identically, counted once.
When several outlets publish the identical article — often because they ran the same wire-service story — we count it as one source, not several, so the count reflects independent reporting rather than how widely one story was republished.
Allegations described here are not proven in court unless stated.
Former Major League Baseball player Richard “Rich” Butler and his wife, Michelle Butler, are facing fraud-related charges following a Durham Regional Police investigation into a youth baseball training program.
Police allege families paid to enrol children in the Ontario Devil Rays program, and that money was transferred to other accounts associated with the Butlers and was not used for training or other agreed-upon services. The allegations against the Butlers have not been tested in court.
Charges in Ontario Devil Rays Program Investigation
Richard “Rich” Butler, 53, and Michelle Butler, 52, both of Frankford, Ont., are each charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and uttering a forged document.
The case centres on the Ontario Devil Rays youth baseball training program. Durham police say families registered children and paid fees for the 2025-26 program, with payments made to accounts associated with the organization.
Butler is a former Major League Baseball player who appeared with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays, then known as the Devil Rays.
Police Allege $60,000 Was Deposited
Investigators say about $60,000 was deposited into a bank account associated with the program between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2025.
Police allege the money was subsequently moved from that account into other accounts associated with the Butlers.
“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,” Durham Regional Police said in a release.
Police believe there could be additional victims.
Bankruptcy Email Is Part of Case
On Oct. 19, 2025, families received an email advising that the business was being dissolved because of financial hardship and bankruptcy, police said.
Investigators allege no bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings were ever initiated. They also allege that a lawyer’s name included in the email was used without that lawyer’s permission.
The forged-document charge against each accused arises alongside the fraud and property charges.
Police Seek Possible Victims
Durham police are asking anyone who believes they may have been affected in similar circumstances, or who has information about the investigation, to contact the force’s Financial Crimes Unit.
Anonymous tips can also be provided to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
Police have concerns there may be further victims.
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