Ex-Pa. sportscaster denied public defender

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 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.