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Victims Hoping, Dimly, For Restitution Following Don Tollefson Fraud Conviction

By Brad Segall

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- As former television sportscaster Don Tollefson sits in a Bucks County jail cell after being convicted on theft and fraud charges, some of his victims wonder whether they will ever see any of the money they paid for sports travel packages they never received.

Some of the victims spent every day or nearly every day in the Bucks County courtroom where Tollefson's trial was held, wondering if they would get justice.  There was an audible sigh of relief from some of them on Wednesday, when a jury held Tollefson accountable for his crimes.

One of the charities swindled by Tollefson was the Brad Fox Foundation, which raises money for the wife and kids of a murdered Plymouth Township police officer.  Darren Meehan is the executive director.

"Unfortunately, (he was) preying on the Foxes, who were just trying to honor their dead son," Meehan told KYW Newsradio this morning.  "I think it takes a particular kind of person.  So, whether you're a drug addict or not, it's a certain caliber of person that would that."

Tollefson has been battling drug and alcohol addictions but in his closing argument to the jury said they were not excuses for his behavior.

Meehan called the verdict "bittersweet" -- he's happy Tollefson was found guilty but has no expectations of receiving any restitution.

"We don't get our money for the foundation, the people that bought packages don't get to go on their vacations, and Mr. Tollefson is obviously going somewhere that's not a winning scenario for him," Meehan notes.

 

 

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