Briefs

CEO Charged With $5M Embezzlement From Children’s Camp

LAKE HUGHES — The former CEO of The Painted Turtle, a nonprofit specialty camp for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, Jan. 12 was charged with embezzling $5.2 million from the organization during his tenure from 2018-2025.

Christopher L. Butler (dob 2/28/76) of Porter Ranch is charged with 15 felony counts: nine counts of grand theft, five counts of forgery and one count of fraudulent use of a computer.  

The case was filed on Dec. 29, 2025. Butler is being held on $835,000 bail.

His arraignment is set for Jan. 15 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

If convicted as charged, Butler faces more than 18 years in state prison.

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

Letters to the Editor: Deadly Merger, Disability Rights, War of Choice, and the Call for Peace and Voting

Stop the Deadly Merger Like many Americans, I am opposed to my tax dollars continuing…

2 days ago

The Myth Behind The J6 Insurrection Is Back — And California Is In Its Crosshairs

Voter fraud is as rare as hen’s teeth. A Brookings Institute study of vote-by-mail ballot…

3 days ago

Trick Versus Trust

  The scariest part of this post-Halloween election will come after the votes are cast…

3 days ago

Champagne, Sparkling Wine, and the Stories in the Glass

By Lynn NIshimura, Columnist   Champagne has a fascinating relationship with popular culture. One of…

3 days ago

Harbor Commission Votes to Replace Pacific Harbor Line With Union Pacific/BNSF Subsidiary

But The Story Is Far From Over Pacific Harbor Line has provided short line rail…

3 days ago

Discover 12,000 Years of Culture at San Pedro’s AKM Cultural Fair

  San Pedro is an established destination for art, and starting on November’s First Thursday…

3 days ago