A Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania attorney has pleaded guilty to federal forgery charges after admitting to forging the signature of a U.S. District Judge on court documents. Michael Brandon Cohen, 41, entered his plea before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on July 25, 2025.
According to information presented in court, Cohen was licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 2022. He was hired by a client to pursue a civil lawsuit against a healthcare company. Cohen told his client that he had filed the lawsuit in federal court; however, no such filing ever occurred.
On two occasions—May 18 and October 13, 2022—Cohen sent his client fabricated court orders that appeared to be issued by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The documents awarded monetary sanctions and fees to the client and bore what looked like the electronic signature of Chief Judge Brann. In reality, Chief Judge Brann had not issued or authorized these orders or signatures; Cohen forged them in an attempt to convince his client of their authenticity.
Judge Haines set sentencing for November 18, 2025. The maximum possible penalty is up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. The actual sentence will depend on federal guidelines and any prior criminal history.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carl J. Spindler and Mark V. Gurzo. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into Cohen’s actions.
“Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.”
