Deppe complains of phone problems as case begins

WORCESTER -- A jury has been selected and testimony has begun, but all is not going smoothly in the trial of Michael R. Deppe.

The Hudson man accused of fraud in connection with Internet sales of Super Bowl tickets said he is having trouble making phone calls from jail.

His attorney, Steven Rappaport, told US District Court on Monday that Deppe's calls were frequently cut off when he was held in the Norfolk County House of Correction in Dedham.

Assistant US Attorney Seth Berman said Deppe solved the problem himself by using the personal identification numbers of other inmates.

Deppe told the court Tuesday that he continued to have phone problems after being transferred last week to a federal detention center in Rhode Island.

When Berman said that federal authorities should verify whether Deppe is having phone problems, Deppe stood up and said, ''He called me a liar."

Deppe's trial started Monday and is expected to last into next week. He previously pleaded guilty to charges stemming from Internet-related transactions involving Rolex watches and other high-priced merchandise.

In all, Deppe is accused of defrauding 68 individuals of $370,000 in Super Bowl tickets and merchandise.

CONNIE PAIGE