By: Richard L. Smith
A Florida man appeared in federal court in Newark after being arrested in Miami on allegations that he falsely posed as a U.S. Department of Justice official while attempting to resolve a dispute involving an unpaid luxury vehicle lease.
According to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Paul Richard Johnson, 55, of Miami, is charged with fraudulently using a government seal on correspondence sent to an automobile manufacturer with corporate offices in New Jersey.
Federal authorities allege Johnson, who was never employed by the Department of Justice, began contacting the automaker in 2024 after the company referred his delinquent lease account to collections and reported the debt to credit bureaus.
Investigators said Johnson sent multiple letters bearing what appeared to be official Department of Justice letterhead and seals, while falsely identifying himself as a federal prosecutor.
In the correspondence, he allegedly claimed to hold positions such as “Supervising Attorney, Criminal Division” and “Assistant United States Attorney,” and used a fraudulent DOJ email address.
One of the letters, dated October 15, 2024, was sent to the company’s corporate offices in Bergen County.
Authorities said the letter again used the DOJ seal and referenced the Department’s National Security Division while urging the company to take actions that would improve Johnson’s credit history.
Johnson made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court. The charge carries federal penalties if proven in court.