Credit: Middletown Township
Robert S. Butts, the former coach charged with stealing $24,000 from the Middletown Athletic Association, has resigned his seat on the Township financial advisory committee.
Middletown Supervisors made the announcement at their Monday night meeting.
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Butts, 53, who had been MAA’s treasurer since 2010, allegedly used the stolen money to make payments on his foreclosed home, and to buy lap dances at the Oakford Inn strip club in Bensalem, police said.
In addition to little league treasurer, Butts had also been appointed to the Middletown Township financial advisory board, a voluntary position which makes recommendations to township officials on how best to invest.
Butts was arrested April 5 on charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property following a four month police investigation. He was released on $25,000 bail.
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“Do we know why Mr. Butts was not removed sooner?” asked Middletown supervisor Robert McMonagle, noting that the discrepancies were known for several months. “I believe (you) had info he had committed these acts.”
Township solicitor Joe Pizzo noted that the charges against Butts were only made public less than two weeks ago.
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Butts had also coached various teams over the years.
According to court records, Butts’ home was in foreclosure several times in recent years, but he was able to delay eviction by filing bankruptcy, and by using stolen little league money to make payments.
Butts was also hired in 2012 as finance director by neighboring Lower Southampton Township. He has since been suspended from that post.
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MAA officials said they began to get suspicious of Butts in the fall of 2012 when they realized there wasn’t enough money to maintain various baseball and soccer fields. Despite being asked repeatedly, Butts wouldn’t hand over financial records. MAA officials eventually went to the police.
Butts could not be immediately reached for comment.
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