A FORMER MLB outfielder has been charged with fraud after he ran a youth baseball program scheme with his wife.

Ex-MLB player Richard Butler and his wife, Michelle, face multiple charges after a fraud investigation looked into their training program.

Butler, a Toronto-born outfielder who played in three MLB seasons, has been charged with three fraud offenses by the Durham police in Canada.

The 53-year-old and his wife, Michelle, allegedly took thousands of dollars for services they never provided.

The charges stem from an investigation into the Butlers’ Ontario Devil Rays youth baseball program.

Around $60,000 was deposited into a bank account associated with the program between April 1 and October 31 of last year, Durham plice said in a news release on Tuesday.

The funds were later transferred to other accounts associated with the Butler couple.

On October 19, 2025, the Butlers sent an email to the families who paid the registration, saying that the Devil Rays were being dissolved due to financial hardship and claimed bankruptcy.

There was no evidence of bankruptcy proceedings ever being initiated, police said.

Mr. and Mrs. Butler have now been charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and uttering a forged document.

Police believe there could be more victims of the Butlers’ alleged scheme and urge those with information to come forward.

Richard Butler played three seasons in the big leagues, including seven games for his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

He played 79 games for the Tampa Bay Rays between 1998 and 1999.

His brother, Rob Butler, is also a former Blue Jay and was part of the franchise’s 1993 World Series team.