SOMERVILLE, Mass. — A Somerville firefighter accused of scamming people out of thousands of dollars in World Cup tickets appeared before a judge Monday morning.
[ Somerville firefighter accused of $14k World Cup ticket scam ]
Fifty-year-old Robert Whelan is charged with larceny over $250 by false pretenses, forgery of a document, and uttering a false instrument. He was arraigned in Somerville District Court.
According to prosecutors, Whelan told at least 30 people in a group chat between November and the past few weeks that, as a New England Patriots season ticket holder, he could get them discounted tickets to FIFA World Cup matches.
Investigators say Whelan never had a contact with the Patriots. After the promised tickets never materialized, victims began asking for refunds.
Prosecutors allege Whelan then created a fake Patriots contact named “Stephanie” to explain the delays but never provided any additional information about the supposed employee.
When the refunds still were not paid, prosecutors say Whelan told victims he planned to cash out his $157,000 pension through the Somerville Retirement Board. Investigators allege the document he shared as proof was forged.
Prosecutors also said the investigation found that at least one ticket confirmation email Whelan sent contained fake FIFA and Patriots logos.
Whelan’s defense attorney argued that he was acting as a middleman and had relied on a ticket broker he had worked with for 20 years without any previous issues. The attorney said the broker failed to deliver the tickets in this case and that Whelan has been reimbursing victims out of his own pocket.
A representative from the Somerville firefighter’s union was in court to support Whelan.
Whelan was released on personal recognizance.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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