Painted Books

In this episode of Fraud in the Office, Matthew and Mark unpack the shocking embezzlement case involving Christopher Butler, the former CEO of The Painted Turtle—a nonprofit camp for critically ill children co-founded by Paul Newman. The hosts break down how more than $5 million was allegedly stolen over several years, examining the control failures that allowed the fraud to go undetected.

They discuss why strong financial controls, proper segregation of duties, and active oversight are critical in nonprofit organizations, and how lapses in governance can have devastating consequences—especially when vulnerable populations are involved. This episode is a sobering reminder that even the most mission-driven organizations are not immune to fraud without the right safeguards in place.