TV Sportscaster Don Tollefson Guilty On All Counts in Theft and Fraud Trial
By Brad Segall
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Former Philadelphia television sportscaster Don Tollefson was found guilty on all counts today in his theft and fraud trial in Bucks County.
Tollefson, 62, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the judge in the case increased Tollefson's bail to $350,000. Tollefson acknowledged that he was unable to post the required ten percent ($35,000) of his bail to avoid jail pending sentencing.
-----
It took the jury about ten hours over two days reach its verdicts on five charges, including three felonies: theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and dealing in proceeds from unlawful activities.
Prosecutors said afterward that they will be seeking a lengthy prison term for Tollefson, who turned down a plea deal a couple of weeks ago, on the day his trial was scheduled to start. That deal would have included some intensive drug addiction therapy and treatment which, the prosecution says, are now off the table.
Tollefson was found guilty of ripping off more than 200 people for a total of more than $340,000 by selling sports travel packages to charitable organizations for fundraising. Tollefson was never able to make good on those packages, and prosecutors pointed out that Tollefson used much of the money on personal expenses. Tollefson blamed that on poor bookkeeping on his part.
