PHILADELPHIA, PA – Michael Hoffner, Sr., 52, of Voorhees, New Jersey, is headed to prison for nearly three-and-a-half years after admitting to a brazen credit card fraud scheme run through his Philadelphia bar, the Brown Street Pub. Hoffner was sentenced today to 42 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg, a penalty for swindling unsuspecting cardholders out of tens of thousands of dollars.
The scheme, dating back to September and December of 2012, involved Hoffner illegally charging stolen credit card numbers at his establishment on a staggering 40 separate occasions. The charges weren’t small-time either – the average fraudulent transaction exceeded $2,000. Hoffner preyed on accounts issued by American Express, Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, ACNB, and the State Employees Credit Union of Maryland, leaving the legitimate cardholders footing the bill for his greed.
According to court documents, Hoffner funneled the ill-gotten gains – totaling over $87,000 – into an account he personally controlled. He pleaded guilty on July 31, 2017, to one count of wire fraud, effectively ending a lengthy investigation that involved multiple federal agencies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania spearheaded the prosecution, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Ignall and Christopher J. Mannion leading the charge.
Beyond the prison sentence, Judge Goldberg also imposed a three-year term of supervised release upon Hoffner’s eventual release. He’s also been ordered to pay $87,060 in restitution to the victims of his scheme and to forfeit $82,643 in proceeds directly linked to the fraudulent activity. This isn’t just about punishment; it’s about attempting to make those harmed whole, though the damage done to their credit and peace of mind is harder to quantify.
The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Secret Service all played critical roles in unraveling Hoffner’s scheme and gathering the evidence needed for a conviction. The Secret Service, often known for protecting dignitaries, also has a significant mandate to combat financial crimes like this one.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly localized crimes can have far-reaching consequences and that federal agencies are actively working to bring perpetrators like Michael Hoffner to justice. The Brown Street Pub may still be open, but its former owner will be spending the next several years contemplating his choices from behind bars. The full DOJ release can be found on their website.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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