Former Blue Jays player Rich Butler, wife charged in fraud probe

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A former Toronto Blue Jays player and his wife are facing fraud and other charges involving a youth baseball training program in Bowmanville.

Durham Regional Police said Tuesday that families registered and paid fees last year for the 2025-2026 Ontario Devil Rays baseball training program.

According to police, payments were made to accounts associated with Ontario Devil Rays Inc. by parents who enrolled their children in the program.

Approximately $60,000 was deposited into a bank account associated with Ontario Devil Rays between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2025, investigators determined.

Funds allegedly not used for program

Police said money from this account was then transferred to other accounts associated with the suspects, with investigators alleging the funds were not used for the training program and the services initially agreed upon were not provided by the Ontario Devil Rays organization.

Families were then told by email on Oct. 19, 2025, that the business was being dissolved due to financial hardship and bankruptcy claims.

Police revealed that investigators 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.

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A check of the Ontario Devil Rays website on Tuesday shows the site is offline.

Richard Butler, 53, and Michelle Butler, 52, both of Frankford, were each charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and uttering a forged document.

Investigators believe that there could be more victims affected by the alleged fraud.

Anyone with information about this incident or who believes they may have been a victim in a similar circumstance is asked to contact Det. Const. Peden of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5241 or anonymously by calling Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Played in parts of three seasons

Known professionally as Rich Butler, the Toronto native played seven games with the Blue Jays in September 1997 after seven years toiling in the minors.

He was then selected 10th overall by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft and played 79 games in parts of two seasons with the club.

He batted .223 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 86 games over three seasons.

Following his stint in the MLB, Butler played for the minor league Toronto Maple Leafs in 2001 and 2002.

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