Dearborn Woman Convicted In $65 Million Pharmaceutical Coupon Scheme

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn woman is facing prison for her role in a $65 million coupon scheme, according to federal officials.

Suzan Berro, 23, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection to a multi-year scheme to obtain more than $65 million from numerous pharmaceutical co-pay assistance programs.

Those manufacturer-sponsored "coupon" programs exist to assist real patients with the often-high costs associated with name brand prescription drugs

Berro was convicted after a six-day trial and faces a maximum of twenty years in prison on each count. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 1.

"This was a complicated scheme that abused dozens of programs established to help those who are legitimately unable to afford their medications," United States Attorney Dawn Ison said. "Our office will continue to investigate and unravel these schemes, and will we vigorously pursue those who are responsible."

As a biller for multiple pharmacies for nearly one year, Berro created fake "prescriptions" for fake "patients" by taking addresses from real estate lists and making up names and birthdates, officials said.

She then selected expensive name brands and paired them with real doctors’ names and credentials, officials said.

In addition, officials said Berro went to "great lengths" to make the patients seem real.

Witness testimony showed that the majority of pharmacies Berro listed only existed on paper and never opened to the public or for inventory, officials said.

Overall, Berro and her co-conspirators submitted fraudulent claims on behalf of more than 40 pharmacies, totaling over $65 million, according to federal officials.