A firefighter in Somerville, Massachusetts, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges accusing him of scamming dozens of people out of more than $14,000 by promising FIFA World Cup tickets he never delivered. Prosecutors allege the scheme began last November when Whelan told buyers in a group chat he could obtain FIFA World Cup tickets through a trusted broker because he was a New England Patriots season ticket holder. Authorities allege Whelan then forged a letter from the Somerville pension fund showing a $157,000 withdrawal to convince buyers he had the money to reimburse them. Delaney said Whelan acted only as an intermediary and blamed a ticket broker for failing to deliver the tickets. The City of Somerville said the allegations are unrelated to Whelan's employment as a firefighter.