- Stefan Pildes, organiser of the popular SantaCon charity fundraiser in New York City, has been arrested and indicted on wire fraud charges.
- The annual festival featuring a ticketed bar crawl through city streets each December has attracted over 25,000 people, most of them in Santa outfits.
- Authorities allege Pildes raised $2.7 million through SantaCon events between 2019 and 2024 but donated only a small fraction to charity.
- He is accused of using proceeds to fund personal expenses, including property renovations, luxury holidays and a vehicle.
- U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton alleged that Pildes “ran his own con game,” exploiting New Yorkers' holiday generosity for personal gain.
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