Johnstown, PA – A federal judge recently approved a deadline extension for Michael B. Cohen, a 41-year-old former attorney from Blair County, who faces federal charges for allegedly forging judicial signatures on court documents. Cohen, who is accused of forging the signature of Matthew Brann, the chief judge of Pennsylvania’s Middle District, is scheduled to respond to these allegations by March 3.
The forgery incidents reportedly occurred on May 18 and October 13 of 2022, during which Cohen was handling a case before Judge Brann. Details about the charges were brought to light through a sealed indictment by a grand jury in December.
This breach of legal ethics is not an isolated instance in Cohen’s career. His professional misconduct has been previously addressed in counties across Pennsylvania. Notably, Brann issued an order on Aug. 9, 2023, disallowing Cohen from practicing law in the Middle District, marking his official disbarment.
The charges against Cohen extend beyond federal issues. In Blair County, he faces multiple legal challenges, including theft by deception related to an incident on Nov. 2, 2021, a forgery case from Dec. 23, 2022, and charges of tampering with public records tied to an event on March 15, 2023. Additionally, in Bedford County, he is charged with failing to make a required deposit of funds, with the offense dated April 6, 2022.
The federal indictment was processed by Judge Stephanie L. Haines in Johnstown on Dec. 10, followed by Cohen’s arrest and his initial court appearance a week later. Represented by Daniel Kiss of Altoona, Cohen pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Previously, Cohen was involved in litigation of both civil and criminal cases in federal courts, including two high-profile cases. One involved a defendant accused of using a pipe bomb in Hollidaysburg, and another was against a former member of the Phoenix Fire Company who allegedly embezzled funds from a state grant.
As of last reported, attempts to reach Cohen’s attorney for comments were unsuccessful.
Cohen’s alleged actions have drawn attention to the severe repercussions of forging judicial documents, spotlighting the importance of adherence to legal and ethical standards within the legal profession.
While the specifics of these cases continue to unfold, they serve as a critical reminder of the foundational ethical obligations expected of those within the legal practice.
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