Brent Kopenhaver, 61, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is staring down federal prison time after being indicted on three counts of filing false tax returns and two counts of wire fraud. The charges, unsealed by U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger, expose a calculated scheme to hide more than $400,000 in income while cashing in on government benefits he never should have touched.
Between 2011 and 2013, Kopenhaver allegedly earned six-figure salaries as chief financial officer of two shell-like operations: Micro Loan Management, Division A, and Sequoia Tribal Management Services, Inc. Despite pulling in serious cash, he reported none of it to the IRS. Instead, he filed false returns and funneled his earnings through the shadows — all while applying for and collecting approximately $40,000 in unemployment compensation funded by Pennsylvania and federal taxpayers.
The fraud didn’t happen in isolation. Both Micro Loan and STMS are named in a separate federal indictment tied to an alleged RICO enterprise led by Charles M. Hallinan, accused of running an illegal payday lending ring designed to collect unlawful debt. Kopenhaver’s financial roles in these entities place him at the heart of a broader criminal network under federal scrutiny.
Investigators say Kopenhaver didn’t just dodge taxes — he actively deceived multiple government agencies. By falsifying employment status and income, he triggered wire transfers of unemployment funds through electronic systems, triggering the wire fraud charges. Each count carries hefty penalties, compounding the severity of his alleged crimes.
If convicted, Kopenhaver faces a maximum sentence of 49 years behind bars, three years of supervised release, a fine of $800,000, and a $500 special assessment. The case was investigated by the IRS, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service — a rare tri-agency push signaling the seriousness of the allegations.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark B. Dubnoff and James A. Petkun. As of now, Kopenhaver remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the indictment paints a damning picture: a man who allegedly lined his pockets with six-figure paychecks while milking the safety net meant for the truly unemployed.
Related Federal Cases
- PA Businessman Pleads Guilty to $473K IRS Tax Fraud · Pennsylvania
- Ebensburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Scheme · Maryland
- Gibsonia Accountant Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud · Pennsylvania
- Arts & Crafts Fraud: Medicare Hit for $200K · Pennsylvania
- Tax Thief Gets 20 Months · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
