Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the case of former Philadelphia sportscaster Donald Tollefson, who is charged with stealing more than $300,000 by selling fake sports-themed trips that he said would help various charities.
The 62-year-old Tollefson pleaded guilty in September but withdrew his plea last month before his sentencing. Tollefson said he decided to take back the plea and fight the charges after praying and determining he was innocent.
On Friday, Bucks County Judge Rea Boylin agreed to allow Tollefson to represent himself, with the assistance of court-appointed attorney Robert Goldman.
At the time of his guilty plea, Tollefson's defense attorney, Sharif Abaza, said Tollefson had been sober about a year after battling alcohol and drug addictions for years. Abaza did not agree or recommend that Tollefson withdraw his guilty plea before ceasing to be his attorney.
Tollefson worked for the ABC and FOX affiliates in Philadelphia for many years.
He was arrested in February and charged with defrauding at least 200 victims through travel packages to the Super Bowl or other sporting events.
Tollefson took money for nonexistent tickets and claimed some of the money would go to charity, said Matthew Weintraub, chief prosecutor at the Bucks County district attorney's office.
Weintraub said Tollefson booked some legitimate packages but, over time, "the wheels just fell off," and customers had nothing to show for their money.
