Sportscaster Don Tollefson Now Looking For Help in His Fraud Defense
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Former Philadelphia television sportscaster Don Tollefson now says that instead of defending himself, he's trying to find an attorney to represent him against fraud charges.
"I believe that I'm innocent," Tollefson said today, adding that he's now trying to find a lawyer who will represent him pro bono, one week after withdrawing his guilty plea to fraud charges -- "because I believe that I did not have any criminal intent."
Tollefson is charged with defrauding people out of more than $300,000 by failing to deliver on sports charity packages.
Speaking with reporters today near his North Philadelphia apartment, Tollefson says he disputes that figure but vowed to pay back every penny to those he believes have legitimate claims against him.
He says he's trying to sell his sports and civil rights memorabilia to raise cash -- but he admits it's difficult once potential buyers find out who's selling.