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Date: 01-17-2023

Case Style:

United States of America v. Suzan Berro

Case Number: 2:19-cr-20821

Judge: Nancy G. Edmunds

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Wayne County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Detorit

Defendant's Attorney:






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Description: Detroit, Michigan criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with wire fraud and wire fraud, related to her participation in a multi-year scheme to obtain more than $65 million from numerous pharmaceutical co-pay assistance programs.




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Suzan Berro, age 23,, engaged in a conspiracy to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims to numerous pharmaceutical manufacturer’s co-pay assistance programs. These manufacturer-sponsored “coupon” programs exist to assist real patients with the often-high costs associated with name brand prescription drugs. The evidence showed that Berro, who participated in the scheme for nearly a year, was a biller for multiple pharmacies. In that role, she created fake “prescriptions” for fake “patients” by taking addresses from real estate lists, making up names and birth dates, selecting expensive name brand, and then ultimately pairing them with real doctors’ names and credentials. The evidence showed that the conspiracy went to great lengths to make the supposed patients appear real, including ensuring that all three addresses—the real doctor, the fake pharmacy, and the made-up patient—were in close, geographic proximity. However, witness testimony revealed that the majority of pharmacies only existed on paper and never opened to the public, nor even ordered inventory. In total, Berro and her co-conspirators submitted fraudulent claims on behalf of more than 40 pharmacies, totaling over $65 million.

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

"The jury's verdict confirms an alarming and unacceptable trend of individuals attempting to exploit segments of the health care system designed to help those who legitimately need prescription assistance," said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office. "The FBI will continue to work with our federal partners to identify fraudsters like this defendant and hold them accountable for their crimes."

The case was led by the FBI with the assistance of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan A. Particka and John K. Neal. 

ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD
(1)
ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD
(1s)
FRAUD BY WIRE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION
(10)
FRAUD BY WIRE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION
(10s)

Outcome: 01/13/2023   Minute Entry for in-person proceedings before District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds: Jury Trial Held and Completed as to Suzan Berro on 1/13/2023. Jury Deliberation also held. JURY VERDICT as to Suzan Berro (10) Guilty on Counts 1s, 10s. (Court Reporter: Darlene May) (Defendant Attorney: William Swor) (AUSA: John Neal, Ryan Particka) (LBar) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
01/13/2023 281  NOTICE TO APPEAR IN PERSON as to Suzan Berro, Sentencing set for 5/1/2023 11:00 AM before District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds **Sentencing Memorandums to be filed by April 21, 2023. (LBar) (Entered: 01/13/2023)
01/13/2023 283  Jury Verdict Form as to Suzan Berro (LBar) (Entered: 01/17/2023)

Defendant was found guilty by a jury.

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Defendant's Experts:

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