By Associated Press - Friday, May 16, 2014

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A judge has rejected a request from former Philadelphia television sportscaster Donald Tollefson to have a public defender represent him.

Tollefson is charged in the alleged theft of more than $100,000 meant to go to charitable organizations.

The Bucks County Courier Times (https://bit.ly/1nSs5qE) said a judge ruled Friday that Tollefson is far over the federal poverty income level, on which eligibility for a county public defender is largely based.



In his application for a public defender, Tollefson said he gets about $31,000 a year in Social Security disability payments and his wife makes about $70,000 annually.

He said he has only $1,200 in the bank, is behind on his mortgage and more than $100,000 in debt.

Prosecutors say the 61-year-old former sportscaster solicited money for charities and kept the cash.

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Information from: Bucks County Courier Times, https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com

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