Tollie’s Folly: Ex-Sportscaster Guilty On All Counts

A little over a month after former sportscaster Don Tollefson pulled back on a guilty plea, a jury of his peers found him guilty on all charges.

The 62-year-old veteran sportscaster, who appeared on 6abc and Fox 29 for years, was convicted of first degree dealing in unlawful proceeds, two counts of third degree felony theft and two first degree misdemeanor counts connected to crimes involving charities. The guilty verdict came after a two-week trial that made television news vans a common sight around the courthouse in Doylestown.

After some post-verdict discussion, Tollefson’s bail was set at 10 percent of $350,000 and sentencing was differed 30 days by Judge Rea Boylan. In the courtroom, he asked the judge for a chance to raise the money needed for legal assistance and claimed he had “things” to sell to raise funds.

The former sportscaster, who represented himself at trial, was led out of court by Bucks County Sheriff Department deputies with a gaggle of media surrounded him. He asked for the media to respect his family’s privacy.

Jury: Don Tollefson is guilty in all counts in fraud trial.

— Ben Finley (@Ben_Finley) January 21, 2015

Jury foreman says jurors deliberated heavily on Tollefson’s “intent” at time of criminal activity before ultimately determining his guilt. — Hayden Mitman (@HaydenMitman) January 21, 2015

Prosecutor in Tollefson trial Matt Weintraub: “It’s time for him to stop talking and start paying”

— Hayden Mitman (@HaydenMitman) January 21, 2015

Tollefson went through more than $340,000 he obtained fraudulently over the course of several years, authorities said.

Tollefson, according to court papers, sold travel and room packages in the name of charity for at least several years. The packages ranged from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. In the end, the parties who purchased the ticket packages for Phillies spring-training games, Eagles games, the Super Bowl and Kentucky Derby never received the agreed upon sports trips and tickets they paid for.

Tollefson’s troubles are said to be linked to alcohol and painkiller addiction. He has since undergone treatment for his dependencies, Sharif Abaza, an attorney who used to represent Tollefson, told reporters in spring.

Investigators discovered that at least two of Tollefson’s charities, both for disadvantage children, were not registered with the state Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Only charities making less than $25,000 a year do not have to register.

Officials say Tollefson, known to local television viewers as “Tollie,” scammed at least 200 people from around the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas.

Tollefson made the case during his trial that he was just a bad bookkeeper and didn’t realize there were issues until he ran out of money in 2012, an article on 6abc.com said.

“My intention was to deliver on everything,” said during his trial, according to the Allentown Morning Call.

Bucks County authorities began their investigation into Tollefson in  September 2013. The massive investigation involved police from around the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas.

In December, the 62-year-old withdrew a guilty plea and announced he was representing himself. Tollefson went through two sets of legal teams before announcing that he was representing himself.  

The jury in the case went into deliberations on Tuesday evening and returned with a verdict Wednesday afternoon.

Tollefson has a daughter and is currently separated from his wife.

@RonniePhilly went on a tour of North Philly with Don Tollefson two days before he was convicted of fraud & theft. http://t.co/44bmJjI6hc — David Gambacorta (@dgambacorta) January 21, 2015