Local football program founder faces possible criminal charges

MEDINA, Ohio - In the wake of an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation, a criminal complaint has been filed with Medina police in connection with the finances of a local youth football program.

The criminal complaint names Michael T. Butts, former president of the Medina Bees Youth Football Association, as the subject of possible fraud charges.

A 5 On Your Side investigation on May 2 uncovered a series of lawsuits alleging that Butts failed to pay vendors thousands of dollars they claimed they were owed. Meanwhile, parent have been left wondering where their $60,000 in registration fees brought in each year are going.

Our investigation found at least $27,000 in unpaid bills, including an $11,000 bounced check for everything from uniforms to concession vendors.

Butts told NewsChannel5 that he was trying to pay off the bills, but he could not explain a nearly $700 charge on a team credit card for an electric bill to Ohio Edison.

The Northeast Ohio Youth Football Conference has also voted to drop the team from its conference in light of revelations raised in our investigation.

Butts has not been charged with a crime, but Medina police declined to comment on their investigation into the criminal complaint on file.