- 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.
IN FULL
SantaCon organizer arrested as the feds label popular holiday event a ‘con’
