Charges filed in Johnson Co.

HARDIN CO.—Hardin County’s chief deputy has been charged with felony offenses in a neighboring county.

But the problems of this deputy, who was suspended without pay June 12 after the charges were filed against him in Johnson County, may run deeper than originally believed.

Robert “Bobby” Deppen, 47, of Harrisburg, was charged June 5 with one count each of Insurance Fraud greater than $10,000 but less than $100,000 and Disorderly Conduct/Filing a False Report, both felonies.

Initial reports from investigators into the Johnson County case indicate that in June of 2011 Deppen reported his motor home had been broken into and items stolen.

Information filed in the case then alleges that in November 2011 Deppen fraudulently filed a claim against COUNTRY Financial for a loss of $72,000.

The false report charge alleges Deppen lied when he reported the burglary/theft involving the motor home on June 2, 2011.

Tip of the iceberg

Since turning himself in and posting bond June 11, further information has been brought to light that indicates authorities may not be done looking into Deppen’s financial past.

Sources say that Deppen owned Summers Appliance in Harrisburg and had sold the business several weeks prior to being charged in Johnson County.

As well, at some earlier date, before he sold the business, he had reported that one of his nearby storage units had been burglarized with several thousand dollars and multiple Segways being reported stolen. (A Segway is one of those ridiculous two-wheeled “personal transportation” things that looks like a scooter, but with side-by-side wheels and is motorized.)

It is unclear if Deppen made any insurance claims on those items and missing money.

Adding more speculation as to exactly how deep Deppen’s financial situation runs is a report that he once worked as an insurance agent.

“He has made over 25 claims in the past several years,” said one source.

Disclosure was unable to confirm the numbers in that statement as of press time, but reports filed with area police had been requested via FOIA a few days before deadline, so information garnered from those will be featured in upcoming issues.

Past affiliations

Past affiliations haven’t helped to calm speculation either, including Deppen once working with John B. Jones at Gaskins Funeral home.

Jones later went to prison (2011) after being convicted of stealing pre-paid funeral funds from customers, in seven separate incidents that took place between 2007-2010.

With rumors running rampant, some have even asked how Deppen and his wife can afford to live in a home in Harrisburg valued at nearly $150,000 and have two Mercedes Benz on a chief deputy salary and his wife’s PE teacher salary.

One explanation could be that Deppen and his wife, in the past, is said to have come into a rather large inheritance.

Deppen is scheduled to make a first appearance in court on his Johnson County charges at 9 a.m. July 7.