A Florida resident appeared in Newark federal court on May 20 after being arrested last week in Miami on charges that he used a fraudulent Department of Justice seal and falsely claimed to be a federal prosecutor, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
The case concerns the alleged misuse of official government symbols and misrepresentation as a federal official, which authorities say undermines public trust and the integrity of law enforcement communications.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Paul Richard Johnson, 55, from Miami, is accused of sending letters bearing a forged DOJ seal to an automobile manufacturer with offices in New Jersey and Ohio between July and October 2024. The correspondence related to a dispute over Johnson’s unpaid automobile lease. In these letters, Johnson allegedly identified himself as either “Supervising Attorney, Criminal Division” or “Assistant United States Attorney,” using a fake DOJ email address despite never having worked for the department. One letter sent around July 11, 2024 complained about negative credit report entries resulting from his debt being written off by the car company. Another letter dated October 15, 2024 included statements such as: “[i]f there is anything you can do to facilitate an alternative outcome, I can categorically state that your actions will be looked upon both favorably by me, including but not limited to, the 94 other US Attorneys’ offices.”
Johnson faces one count of fraudulent use of a government seal under Title 18 United States Code Section 506(a)(2), which carries up to five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine if convicted. The charges are accusations only; Johnson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy and special agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office under Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Maltese for their work on this investigation leading to Johnson’s arrest.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes across New Jersey and represents the United States in civil matters statewide; it employs about 170 attorneys and support staff with offices located in Newark, Trenton and Camden as part of its operations within the Department of Justice according to its official website.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren from Newark’s Special Prosecutions Division is representing the government while John Yauch serves as defense counsel.
