Wealthy Santa Monica based CEO of Paul Newman kids' camp used $5.2m meant for sick children to fund lavish lifestyle, prosecutors say
A Californian CEO has been accused of embezzling millions of dollars meant for a camp founded by philanthropist Paul Newman that cares for sick children.
Christopher Butler, 49, was arrested on New Year's Eve on 15 felony counts of grand theft, forgery, and fraud for allegedly pocketing $5.2 million from a nonprofit camp for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors believe Butler started the scheme when he was hired as The Painted Turtle's CEO in 2018 and continued the fraud until he left in the summer of 2025.
Butler also served as the organization's controller and supervised its accounting. He allegedly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, peaking at $1 million in 2022, according to a criminal complaint.
Butler allegedly wrote fraudulent checks, changed data on company computers, and even stole the devices when the company hired a new controller.
'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 in a statement.
'My message is crystal clear: If you steal from the most vulnerable members of our community or the organizations that serve them, this office will use every tool the law allows to hold you fully accountable.'
Newman and philanthropist and actress Page Adler founded The Painted Turtle in 1999 to create an escape for kids with medical conditions.
Christopher Butler, pictured above at an event in 2017 in New York City, was arrested on New Year's Eve for embezzling millions during his tenure as the CEO of The Painted Turtle
The Painted Turtle, pictured above in 2004, is a nonprofit that provides a camping experience for children with serious medical conditions free of charge
Philanthropist and actor Paul Newman, pictured above at The Painted Turtle in 2004, founded the camp in 1999
'The Painted Turtle supports children’s medical needs, inspires them to reach beyond their illnesses, and provides care, education, and respite for their families,' their mission statement reads.
All campers attend The Painted Turtle free of charge. The camp runs on donations from individuals and corporate donors.
The organization's 2023 financial report detailed that $4.7 million was raised by 1,633 donors.
The camp served over 42,000 families and spent a total of $4.5 million throughout the year. A breakdown of expenses showed that 80 percent was attributed to programming, while 18 percent was attributed to development.
Newman, pictured above in the 1960s, wanted kids to attend the camp without their parents having to pay
The Painted Turtle's top contributors in 2023 were listed as LA Arena Company LLC and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Other donors included Johnny Depp, Tyson Foods, Rite Aid, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., and The George Lopez Foundation.
'Guided by a bold, new three-year Strategic Plan aimed at serving as many children with serious illnesses and their families as possible, we increased our reach this year for the third year in a row, while continuing to ensure that Camp is always free of charge,' Butler wrote in a letter to contributors at the time.
The Painted Turtle said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that Butler had committed 'serious financial crimes,' adding, 'This was a shocking and saddening discovery for us.
'Our primary commitment is always to the children and families that we serve.'
Glenn Bozarth, a spokesperson for the company, told the Times, 'We all have the same question: "How can someone do this?"'
The organization added that it has conducted an independent audit and is cooperating with law enforcement.
The nonprofit will continue programming after the investigation, although it's unclear if the embezzled funds will ever be recovered.
The Painted Turtle relies on donations from corporate donors and individuals. A 2023 financial report said the nonprofit received $4.7 million in one year
Butler lived in a condominium in Porter Ranch, pictured above. The neighborhood is a wealthy suburban enclave of Los Angeles
According to property records, Butler lived in a condominium in Porter Ranch, a wealthy suburban neighborhood in Los Angeles.
His unit was purchased in 2014 for $525,000. According to Zillow, it is now worth over $1 million.
Butler is currently in custody at the North County Correctional Facility with a bail of $835,000, according to inmate records.
His arraignment is scheduled for January 15. Butler has yet to enter a plea in the charges against him.
He is being represented by the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office. The Daily Mail has reached out to his representation for comment.
