Philly Sportscaster is Arrested in Ticket Scam
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Former sportscaster Don Tollefson has turned himself in to authorities to face felony charges for allegedly scamming dozens of people out of more than $100,000 meant to go to charitable organizations.
Authorities allege that Tollefson fraudulently solicited money for charities, victimizing more than 100 people and misappropriating more than $100,000.
The Bucks County District Attorney's Office said Tollefson purported to raise money for charities that included the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, the Salvation Army and the Brad Fox Foundation over the past three years, but the funds didn't make it to the organizations.
Tollefson turned himself in to Warminster Township police this morning. He is being charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, violations of the Pennsylvania Charitable Organizations statute and other offenses.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Finello Jr., who set bail at $250,000.
None of Tollefson's purported charities were registered with Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Nor were they on file with the federal government as 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Tollefson pitched himself as operating the One Child, Winning Ways, Employ Young Adults, and Tackle Hatred Now charities. He also solicited donations via the Internet through his website TixR4Kids.com.
