Former Charlotte Checkers majority owner Michael Kahn charged in federal case involving nonprofit funds and tax filings

Federal charges unsealed in Charlotte

A former majority owner of the Charlotte Checkers is facing federal tax-related charges after prosecutors alleged he moved millions of dollars from a nonprofit he controlled to himself and did not properly report the money to the Internal Revenue Service.

An indictment unsealed Thursday identifies Michael Kahn, 65, as the defendant. Court proceedings on Jan. 29, 2026, resulted in Kahn being released on bond. As a condition of release, a judge ordered him to surrender his passport.

What prosecutors allege

The case centers on the Michael A. Kahn Family Foundation, a charitable organization Kahn created in 2010. Prosecutors allege Kahn maintained control of the nonprofit’s leadership structure, with court records indicating no other employees, volunteers, or board members were listed.

The indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2023 Kahn transferred approximately $4.5 million from the foundation to himself. Prosecutors further allege:

• the money was not reported as income on his 2020 and 2021 federal tax returns; and
• tax returns were not filed for 2022 and 2023.

The charges include two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and two counts of failure to file a tax return.

Potential penalties and what comes next

Federal tax charges of this type typically proceed through pretrial hearings and, if not resolved by plea agreement, a trial where the government must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Kahn is presumed innocent unless and until convicted.

If convicted on all counts, Kahn could face a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison under the charges cited in the indictment, though sentencing in federal cases depends on statutory limits, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and judicial findings at sentencing.

Business background and the Checkers ownership change

Kahn has been associated with the Charlotte Checkers organization for two decades and was the team’s majority owner beginning in 2006. In July 2024, the Checkers announced that Zawyer Sports & Entertainment acquired a controlling interest in the franchise, with Kahn remaining the largest minority partner at that time.

The criminal case described in the indictment focuses on the handling of nonprofit funds and related tax obligations, not on hockey operations. Further court dates are expected as the case moves through the federal system.