Don Tollefson sentenced to 2-4 years in prison

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Former Philadelphia sportscaster Don Tollefson was sentenced to two to four years in state prison on Wednesday after he was convicted for fraud back in January.

Tollefson was also ordered to pay $164,000 in restitution to the victims, and once released he will be on probation for 15 years.

For the 200 or so victims Don Tollefson ripped off and defrauded, two to four years in prison doesn't cut it.

Cindy Moffitt was one of his victims. She responded to the sentencing by saying, "It is what it is. I'm not happy, I would have hoped for more. But he's going to do time - hopefully he'll get the treatment that he needs and he won't be able to scam anybody else."

But both prosecutors and Tollefson's advising attorney say the sentence fits the crime.

Tollefson was a first time offender and did a lot of good with his Winning Ways charity over the years. Yet the judge said a lack of emotion by the former sportscaster played a role in her sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Matt Weintraub says, "I think the guy is a manipulator. Today perhaps the well ran dry. He didn't know what else he could say or do to get out from under it. So he just had nothing left to give us as far as the act is concerned."

Tollefson's advising attorney Bob Goldman explains, "I told Mr. Tollefson that I believe that the sentence was very fair and reasonable taking into consideration all the aspects, and he said yes."

Tollefson was whisked away to jail and unable to comment.

The 62-year-old blames drugs and alcohol addiction for his crimes and he never addressed his victims in court today because they didn't want to hear from him. But he said quote, "What I did was incredibly selfish, incredibly unfair, incredibly dishonest."

The parents of Plymouth Police Officer Brad Fox, killed in the line of duty, were in court today. Their charity is among the victims. They too were disappointed.

Darren Meehan commented on behalf of the Fox family, saying, "Our day isn't going to change anymore whether he went to jail for 50 years or 50 minutes. So, we have a 5k to put on. We're going to keep raising money for other people."

As part of his prison sentence Tollefson will continue to undergo drug and alcohol, and mental health rehabilitation.