Pause in Don Tollefson Fraud Trial as Defendant Complains of Blood Sugar Problem
By Jim Melwert
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- As testimony continues in the fraud and theft trial of former Philadelphia television sportscaster Don Tollefson, a recess was called this morning after Tollefson said his blood sugar was too high.
Tollefson, who is diabetic, was taken by sheriff's deputies to Doylestown Hospital to be checked out.
"It's off the chart," Bob Goldman, his court-appointed standby counsel, said later about Tollefson's blood-sugar level, "and because of that, the doctors told him if it ever gets to that position again, he needs to get into a facility, a hospital, or a doctor's office to have his blood tested."
The prosecutor's cross-examination of Tollefson is expected to continue tomorrow morning.
This morning, Tollefson, who is representing himself in the Bucks County Court case, called members of the Philadelphia Eagles' front office to the witness stand.
Anne Gordon, a director of media and communications for the team, was asked by Tollefson if she remembered an e-mail exchange between the defendant and Eagles' then-general-manager Howie Roseman.
She said yes, recalling that Roseman asked if she thought it was a good idea for him to get involved in Tollefson's charity. Her reply, according to her testimony today, was, "Absolutely not."
Yesterday's court session ended with Tollefson on the witness stand, being cross-examined intensely by lead prosecutor Matthew Weintraub, who pressed Tollefson on many details, including purchases Tollefson admits he made for lawn care and pet grooming, using a charity account.
Tollefson, who is charged with defrauding donors by selling bogus sports trips for hundreds of thousands of dollars, said he had planned to reimburse the charity for his personal expenditures.
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