A Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania attorney has admitted to forging the signature of a U.S. District Judge on court documents. Michael Brandon Cohen, 41, pleaded guilty on July 25, 2025, before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines to two counts of forgery involving the signature of Chief United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Matthew W. Brann.
According to information presented in court, Cohen was licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 2022. He was hired by a client to file a civil lawsuit against a healthcare company and told his client that he had filed the case in federal court. However, Cohen never filed any lawsuit.
On two occasions—May 18 and October 13, 2022—Cohen sent his client fake court orders that appeared to be issued by Chief Judge Brann. The documents included awards for monetary sanctions and fees and bore what looked like an electronic signature from the judge. In reality, these orders were not authorized or signed by Chief Judge Brann; Cohen had forged the judge’s signature to make them appear legitimate.
Judge Haines has set sentencing for November 18, 2025. Cohen faces up to ten years in prison and fines up to $500,000. The final sentence will depend on federal Sentencing Guidelines considering factors such as offense severity and any prior criminal record.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the plea agreement. Assistant United States Attorneys Carl J. Spindler and Mark V. Gurzo are prosecuting the case for the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into Cohen’s actions.
"The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant."
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