Cases of Note

The former CEO of a Southern California nonprofit camp for children with serious medical conditions has been charged with embezzling more than $5 million from the organization, prosecutors said. Christopher LeBaron Butler, 49, is charged with 15 felony counts, including nine counts of grand theft, five counts of forgery and one count of fraudulent use of a computer, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.  Between 2018 and 2025, Butler served as CEO of The Painted Turtle, which operates a camp in Lake Hughes and advertises itself as “a place where children with serious medical conditions can just be kids. Totally free of charge.” During his tenure, he embezzled $5.2 million, the DA’s office alleges. “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,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “My message is crystal clear:...