Ex-Pa. sportscaster convicted in charity scam
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A former Philadelphia sportscaster has been convicted of selling fake sports-themed trips that he said would help various charities.
Jurors in Bucks County deliberated for nearly 12 hours before convicting 62-year-old Donald Tollefson on all counts today.
Prosecutors accused Tollefson of defrauding more than 200 sports fans out of $340,000 worth of sports travel packages that never materialized.
He portrayed himself as a bad businessman who tried to help too many charities and ran out of money, but he denied having profited from the ventures.
Tollefson, who said he was treated last year at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, earlier pleaded guilty in a deal with prosecutors calling for a seven-month sentence.
He later withdrew the plea and represented himself after he was denied a court-funded attorney.