Rich Butler, a Toronto-born outfielder who appeared in 86 games across three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, has been charged with three fraud offences by the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).
The charges stem from an investigation into the Ontario Devil Rays youth baseball program. Police allege Butler and his wife, Michelle, who was also charged took in thousands of dollars from players’ families for services that were never provided. The two have been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and uttering a forged document.
According to DPRS, around $60,000 was deposited into an account associated with the program from Apr. 1, 2025 and Oct. 31 of that year. The funds were later transferred to different accounts associated with the Butlers and were not dispersed as intended. On Oct. 19, 2025, the Butlers sent an email to the families of players in the program informing them that the Devil Rays were being dissolved due to financial difficulties and bankruptcy was being declared. Police say that there was no evidence of bankruptcy proceedings ever being initiated.
Police believe there could be more victims and have asked anybody with more information to come forward.
Butler, 53, made his big league debut for the Jays in September of 1997. He would play seven games for his hometown team. In the fall of 1997, he was selected by the Devil Rays in the expansion draft. He would go on to play in the team’s first two seasons.
For his career, Butler batted .223 in 251 at-bats with 56 hits, seven home runs, 22 runs batted in and an OPS of .631.
Butler is the younger brother of Rob Butler, an outfielder who spent parts of four seasons in the majors with the Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. Rob Butler was a member of the 1993 World Series-winning Blue Jays team. He became the only Canadian player to date to win a World Series with a Canadian franchise.