Mark Cooper, Counterfeiting, Pennsylvania 2016

A former Philadelphia 311 employee has pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell thousands of counterfeit SEPTA TransPasses, raking in a small fortune in the process. Mark Cooper, 35, of Philadelphia, admitted to creating and selling over 2,000 fake monthly passes, which allowed passengers to board SEPTA buses, trolleys, and subway trains.

Cooper’s scheme involved working with an accomplice, Kimberly Adams, to produce and sell the counterfeit passes. Adams would meet customers, mostly City of Philadelphia employees, inside and outside of City Hall, and sell them the fake passes for around $50. A genuine monthly TransPass, on the other hand, sells for $91.

The counterfeiting operation was in full swing between August 2013 and June 2015. During this time, Cooper and Adams split the proceeds, raking in a significant profit from their illicit activity.

The case against Cooper and Adams was initiated by the City of Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General, with the FBI and SEPTA Office of the Inspector General also investigating. Assistant United States Attorney Karen Marston is prosecuting the case.

Cooper faces a statutory maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, four years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment. His sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2016.

Adams, who also pleaded guilty, is set to be sentenced on May 18, 2016.

The conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of combating counterfeiting and other white-collar crimes. It is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in bringing perpetrators to justice.

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