Media Attorney Facing Prison After Forging Checks On Taxes, $130K Truck Purchase

MEDIA, PA — A Media attorney is facing prison time after federal authorities say he submitted fake checks to the Internal Revenue Service and to purchase a $130,000 utility truck.

Daniel A. Pallen, 46, pleaded guilty Tuesday to tax evasion and mail fraud in Philadelphia federal court.

In October 2024, Pallen used a fake "cashier's check" worth $129,710.51 to purchase a new electric utility pickup truck from a company in West Chester. The account and routing number on the forged check belonged not to Pallen, but to the company's bank account, authorities said.

After the forged check bounced and the company secured the truck, Pallen sued the company and sought its "immediate return," plus legal costs and attorneys' fees. Pallen is a licensed attorney who owns a law firm in Media.

The lawsuit falsely claimed that the company had no legal right to the truck. It also included a made-up tax filing claiming that the company borrowed $129,710.51 from a trust managed by Pallen, authorities said.

Investigators also found that Pallen submitted 14 fake "certified" checks totaling $294,454.52 to the IRS in November 2024 and January 2025. Additionally, he submitted false payment vouchers claiming the checks can be applies to his tax liabilities in Tax Years 2013-18, 2022 and 2022.

Pallen's listed defense attorney didn't immediately return comment to Patch.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 10, when Pallen will face up to 25 years in prison. He has been released on the condition that he attend gambling anonymous meetings, according to court documents.