JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Hollidaysburg lawyer is facing federal prison time after admitting to a brazen scheme to defraud a client by forging the signature of a U.S. District Judge. Michael Brandon Cohen, 41, pleaded guilty yesterday, July 25, 2025, to two counts of forgery, a clear violation of federal law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.
Cohen, once a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and the Middle District of Pennsylvania federal court, represented a victim in a civil suit against a healthcare company. But the suit never saw the inside of a courtroom. Instead, Cohen allegedly fabricated the entire process, telling the victim he’d filed the complaint while pocketing fees and spinning a web of lies. The scheme escalated when Cohen began sending the victim fake court orders.
These weren’t just any orders; they were purportedly issued by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann, and crucially, they awarded the victim monetary sanctions and fees. Cohen went the extra mile – or the extra crime – by affixing what appeared to be Judge Brann’s electronic signature to these fraudulent documents, attempting to legitimize the hoax. Judge Brann confirmed he never authorized those orders or his signature.
The ruse continued with a second forged order sent on October 13, 2022, further cementing Cohen’s calculated deception. For months, the victim believed they were on the path to a favorable judgment, all based on a phantom case and a fabricated judicial decree. The Federal Bureau of Investigation eventually uncovered the scheme, bringing Cohen’s fraudulent activity to light.
United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines has scheduled Cohen’s sentencing for November 18, 2025. He now faces a maximum of 10 years behind bars, a hefty fine of up to $500,000, or a combination of both. The final sentence will be determined by the severity of the offenses and Cohen’s criminal history, if any. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carl J. Spindler and Mark V. Gurzo are leading the prosecution.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even those sworn to uphold the law are not above it. Cohen’s actions represent a profound betrayal of trust and a blatant disregard for the integrity of the judicial system. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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