A chief executive from California stands accused of a heartless multi-million dollar fraud, targeting funds intended for a camp for seriously ill children founded by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman.
Alleged Theft from the Most Vulnerable
Christopher Butler, 49, was arrested on New Year's Eve and now faces 15 felony counts including grand theft, forgery, and fraud. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office alleges he pocketed a staggering $5.2 million from The Painted Turtle, a nonprofit camp providing free experiences for children with chronic and life-threatening conditions.
Prosecutors believe the scheme began when Butler was hired as the camp's CEO in 2018 and continued until his departure in the summer of 2025. Serving simultaneously as the organisation's controller, he oversaw its accounting, allegedly using this position of trust to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. A criminal complaint states the theft peaked at $1 million in 2022.
The methods described are brazen. Butler is accused of writing fraudulent checks, altering data on company computers, and even stealing the devices when a new controller was hired. "Abusing a position of power to steal funds from a camp dedicated to helping children with serious medical conditions is an affront to both the law and our deepest values," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman.
A Camp Built on Compassion
The Painted Turtle was founded in 1999 by Paul Newman and philanthropist Page Adler to create a joyful escape for children facing immense health challenges. Its mission is to support children's medical needs, inspire them to reach beyond their illnesses, and provide care and respite for their families. Critically, all campers attend free of charge, relying entirely on donations.
The organisation's 2023 financial report showed it raised $4.7 million from 1,633 donors, serving over 42,000 families. Major contributors included LA Arena Company LLC, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and notable names like Johnny Depp and The George Lopez Foundation. In a now-ironic letter to contributors that year, Butler himself wrote about a "bold, new three-year Strategic Plan" to serve more children while keeping the camp free.
Fallout and Ongoing Investigation
In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, The Painted Turtle confirmed Butler had committed "serious financial crimes," calling it a "shocking and saddening discovery." The organisation emphasised its primary commitment remains to the children and families it serves. It has conducted an independent audit and is cooperating fully with law enforcement, vowing to continue its programming.
Butler, who lived in a condominium in the affluent Porter Ranch neighbourhood of Los Angeles, is currently held at the North County Correctional Facility with bail set at $835,000. His arraignment is scheduled for January 15, and he is being represented by the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office. It remains unclear if the embezzled millions can ever be recovered for the charity.
District Attorney Hochman issued a stern warning: "My message is crystal clear: If you steal from the most vulnerable members of our community or the organisations that serve them, this office will use every tool the law allows to hold you fully accountable."
