MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — A Tennessee man named George Herman Ruth, who shares a legal name with baseball legend Babe Ruth, is facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a complex fraud scheme involving the names of deceased and retired Major League Baseball players.
The 69-year-old Morristown resident has been indicted on 91 federal counts, including mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and fraudulent use of Social Security numbers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Between January 2023 and July 2025, prosecutors say Ruth submitted hundreds of fraudulent claims tied to various pending class action lawsuits. These claims were filed under the names of former professional baseball players—some deceased—and involved stolen Social Security numbers from unwitting victims.
A Pattern of Fraud
Ruth has a prior conviction: In July 2020, he was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for a separate seven-year scam in which he defrauded the Social Security Administration, IRS, and U.S. Treasury, attempting to obtain over $1 million in benefits. That case was prosecuted in Indiana.
Despite that sentence, prosecutors allege Ruth resumed fraudulent activity upon release. He reportedly used proceeds from his recent scam for personal trips, including visits to Las Vegas and casinos in Virginia and North Carolina.
How the Scheme Worked
According to the indictment, Ruth used:
Names of retired and deceased MLB players
Stolen Social Security numbers
Fake business accounts (including one named El Mundo Marketing LLC)
Multiple post office boxes in eastern Tennessee
Some players listed in the indictment include a retired pitcher from the Cardinals and Padres, a deceased infielder from the Dodgers and Indians, and a retired first baseman from the Blue Jays, Marlins, and Mets.
Additionally, Ruth faces charges for lying to his probation officer and illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon.
What’s Next
Ruth is currently awaiting trial, scheduled for January 27. If convicted, he faces:
Up to 20 years in prison
An additional mandatory two-year sentence
Up to three years of supervised release
A maximum fine of $250,000
