Tollie’s Folly: Former Sportscaster Enters Guilty Plea in Scam Case

The rumors that swirled around the Bucks County Courthouse for months turned out to be true. Former Philadelphia sportscaster Don Tollefson pleaded guilty late Monday morning to defrauding more than 200 people of at least $315,000.

Tollefson, 62, of Glenside, entered the guilty plea the day his trial was set to begin. Tollefson was charged in February with first degree felony dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity and a myriad of  other related charges.

Sentencing for Tollefson will be deferred and will come in a few weeks.

Philadelphia Inqurier reporter Ben Finley tweeted that Tollefson’s attorney said his client expects jail time in the case.

Tollefson, who previously worked for 6abc and Fox 29, sold ticket, travel and room packages in the name of charity. 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 receive the  agreed upon sports trips and tickets they paid for.

Tollefson’s troubles were linked to alcohol and painkiller addiction. He has since undergone treatment for his dependencies, Sharif Abaza, the attorney representing the Tollefson, told reporters in spring.

Officials say Tollefson, known to local television viewers as “Tollie,” scammed at least 200 people from around the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas. Officials say the former sportscaster “misappropriated” more than $315,000.

According to authorities, Tollefson fraudulently solicited money for charities and then misappropriated the cash. Some of the charities include the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, the Salvation Army and the Brad Fox Foundation.

The Bucks County investigation began in September and involved police from around the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas.

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.

Tollefson is accused of telling people who bought ticket packages that his organizations were tax exempt.

Authorities previously said the people of the Philadelphia area are very charitable and some were likely “embarrassed” to come forward.

Assistant District Attorney Matt Weintraub gathered many of the Tollefson’s victims inside the rotunda of the courthouse in Doylestown and spoke with them before Tollefson and his attorney entered the plea.

A hollow and aged Tollefson was escorted into a Warminster district courthouse in February after he turned himself into Bucks County authorities. The former local TV star told the judge he was living of Social Security disability.

In the weeks that followed, regional media focused on Tollefson and his personal and legal troubles.