URGENT UPDATE: A Tennessee man sharing the name of baseball legend Babe Ruth faces serious legal troubles after being indicted on 91 counts of fraud. George Herman Ruth, 69, from Morristown, was charged in a federal court in Greeneville, Tennessee, on August 12, 2023, for allegedly exploiting the identities of deceased and retired professional baseball players to claim over $550,000 in fraudulent class action settlements.
Authorities reported that Ruth’s scheme involved submitting hundreds of fake claims using names of former players from defunct teams, including the Philadelphia Athletics and the St. Louis Browns. Officials at the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the indictment late last week, revealing that Ruth opened more than a dozen P.O. boxes across various Tennessee cities to facilitate his fraudulent activities.
The charges against Ruth encompass a range of serious offenses, including mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. He is also accused of making false statements to his probation officer and possessing firearms despite prior felony convictions. The indictment details that Ruth sought payouts from various lawsuits, including claims related to contact lens pricing and alleged racial discrimination against a staffing agency.
Ruth’s history raises further concerns; he previously pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud in an Indiana federal court and was sentenced to prison before being placed on probation from October 2023 until July 2025. A public defender representing Ruth declined to comment on the latest charges, leaving many questions about the ramifications of this case.
This development is significant not only for the potential legal consequences Ruth faces but also for the broader implications of identity theft and fraud within class action settlements. As investigations continue, authorities are urging caution and vigilance regarding similar schemes that exploit the integrity of legal claims.
As this story develops, many are left wondering how this bizarre case will unfold and what it means for those affected by such fraudulent activities. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation progresses.
