Chris Hansen, the former host of NBC's 'To Catch a Predator' has been accused of bouncing a check for nearly $13,000 to pay for marketing materials he received from a local vendor in Connecticut.
Hansen, 59, was charged Monday after allegedly writing a bad check to pay for 'marketing materials' which included 355 ceramic mugs, 288 T-shirts, and 650 vinyl decals. The former TV host was going to use the materials at events, an arrest affidavit said.
The vendor told police that Hansen agreed to pay for his marketing materials before the items were delivered. But, three months after Hansen received the bill for the marketing materials, a check for the full amount, $12,998.05, was sent to the vendor by an employee working for Hansen on behalf of Hansen News LLC.
But, police said that check bounced.
Hansen apologized to the vendor, offering to pay his bill in four partial payments, an offer the vendor refused. Hansen then told the vendor that his wife would stop by with a check, but she never showed, the affidavit said.
The vendor went to police in April complaining that he still hadn't been paid for the items. At the time, police warned Hansen that it was time to pay up, or else he would be arrested for larceny.
Hansen wrote a personal check to the vendor in April, but it too, bounced a few days later. The former TV host contacted the vendor, promising to have the money to him by the end of the day. Hansen said he had sold a boat to cover the rest of the bill and needed to pick up the payment later that afternoon.
But, the money never appeared, and police issued a warrant for his arrest.
Hansen Monday. He was released without bond after signing a written promise he would appear in court.
Photo: Stamford Police