January 08, 2015
Handout/for PhillyVoice
Former sportscaster Don Tollefson is defending himself in court against fraud charges.
Former Philadelphia sportscaster Don Tollefson appeared for the third day of his criminal trial in Bucks County Court on Wednesday, with the focus primarily on examining his financial records.
Tollefson is accused of tricking sports fans and charitable donors into purchasing more than $340,000 worth of fraudulent sports travel packages.
Drew Koser, an investigator for the Pennsylvania Department of State, testified in court regarding Tollefson's financial records and the whereabouts of the donated money, according to The Intelligencer.
Charities that solicit donations in Pennsylvania are required to register with the Department of State to ensure that money is being spent the way they claim.
According to The Intelligencer:
Koser said that he began investigating Tollefson’s charity Winning Ways — which was set up for the purpose of encouraging underprivileged children in [the] Delaware Valley to live productive lives, in July 2013 after noticing that Tollefson was soliciting donations for the charity even though it was never registered with the state.
None of Tollefson’s charities, Winning Ways, One Child Saved, Employ Young Adults or Tackle Hatred Now, were ever registered with the state, said Koser.
Koser presented numerous banking records for several accounts, including one designated for donations to Winning Ways. Bucks County prosecutor Matt Weintraub noted that funds from the Winning Ways account were moved and spent questionably.
Koser was asked to take the stand again on Thursday to further discuss the financial documents. Tollefson could face up to 37 years in state prison if convicted of all charges.
Read more here.
