A Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania lawyer has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to forging the signature of a U.S. District Judge. Michael Brandon Cohen, 42, was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release following his prison term. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on November 18, 2025.
Cohen admitted to forging the electronic signature of the Chief United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on two occasions in 2022. At that time, Cohen was licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
According to information presented in court, Cohen had been hired by a victim to represent them in a civil lawsuit against a healthcare company. He told his client that he had filed the lawsuit on their behalf; however, no such filing ever occurred.
On May 18 and October 13, 2022, Cohen sent his client fabricated court orders that appeared to be issued by the Chief Judge and awarded monetary sanctions and fees in favor of the victim against the healthcare company. These documents included what appeared to be an authentic electronic signature from the judge but were actually forged by Cohen without authorization.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carl J. Spindler and Mark Gurzo prosecuted the case.
First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti said: “I commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and Blair County District Attorney’s Office for their support in the successful prosecution of Cohen.”
