- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
NYC - Santa Clause bar crawl organizer stole over $1 million intended for charity
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:17 pm
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:17 pm
quote:
New York — The organizer of SantaCon, an annual bar crawl where attendees dress up as Santa Claus, was arrested and charged with stealing more than $1 million intended for charity.
Federal prosecutors allege that from 2019 to April 2026 Stefan Pildes, the organizer of SantaCon, defrauded tens of thousands of ticket-buying revelers and venue operators by promising proceeds would go to charities but instead used more than half of the money raised to line his pockets.
Over that seven-year period authorities allege SantaCon brought in $2.7 million in proceeds and “only small fraction” of the money went to the intended charities.
Pildes allegedly used the money to bankroll a $365,000 renovation of a New Jersey lakefront property, cover a $3,000 dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan, buy a luxury car, and take vacations to Vail, Hawaii and Las Vegas. He also allegedly used about $124,000 toward renting a luxury apartment.
quote:
On the SantaCon website, Pildes said that ticket sales went “directly to Santa’s charity drive,” according to the indictment.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/15/politics/santacon-organizer-is-allegedly-a-grinch
quote:
Pildes is expected to appear in federal court on Wednesday. If convicted he could face as much as 20 years in prison.
8
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:20 pm to Shexter
The charity was likely just going to waste it on salaries and other perks.
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:24 pm to weagle1999
all these charities and ngo's are fraudulent except maybe St. Jude
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:28 pm to tigersmanager
Should have just opened up a Learing Center.
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:29 pm to tigersmanager
quote:yup 99% are a scam
all these charities and ngo's are fraudulent except maybe St. Jude
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:36 pm to Shexter
He told you exactly what he was up to right in the name.
Santa CON
Santa CON
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:37 pm to Shexter
That’ll get you on the naughty list
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:38 pm to Shexter
To be fair, he’s just following the business model of most major charities
Posted on 4/15/26 at 4:48 pm to Shexter
Looks like a douchebag
Posted on 4/15/26 at 5:03 pm to Shexter
A local high school band director just got busted for stealing from band fundraisers for years.
I estimate that about half of local/school fundraiser money gets pilfered. If someone has been serving as treasurer for more than two years and isn't begging for someone else to do it, it's probably because they are stealing.
I estimate that about half of local/school fundraiser money gets pilfered. If someone has been serving as treasurer for more than two years and isn't begging for someone else to do it, it's probably because they are stealing.
Posted on 4/15/26 at 8:25 pm to Shexter
Just like hogs for the cause!!
Posted on 4/15/26 at 8:40 pm to Shexter
I once saw 20+ Santa’s on a bar crawl being handcuffed and thrown in the paddy wagon 
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News