Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A Lehigh Acres man, Glenn Thomas Berger, 50, pleaded guilty in Fort Myers, Florida, to trafficking thousands of counterfeit “Scotty Cameron” branded golf putter grips. The plea was announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, with Berger now facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million. He has also agreed to forfeit $170,570.45, representing the proceeds obtained from his illicit activities.
Details of the Offense
According to court documents, Berger, who owns and operates a company specializing in sporting goods, utilized an online selling platform to distribute the counterfeit golf accessories. He then shipped these fraudulent products to customers through the U.S. mail. The illegal operation spanned from November 2020 through at least August 2024.
During this period, Berger sold and shipped more than $170,000 worth of the counterfeit golf putter grips. The investigation into Berger’s activities was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Legal Proceedings
Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey is prosecuting the case. While Berger has entered a guilty plea, a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the court. The forfeiture amount reflects the financial gains from his criminal enterprise.
Berger’s guilty plea underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to combating the trafficking of counterfeit goods, which harms legitimate businesses and consumers alike.
