Wayne County Pharmacist, Brother Steal $15M From Health Insurance Compaines

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — A Wayne County pharmacist and his brother were convicted last Friday in a multi-million dollar medication fraud scheme, according to federal officials.

Raad Kouza and his brother, Ramis Kouza, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. Raad Kouza was also convicted of an additional count of health care fraud.

As of Thursday, officials have not scheduled a sentencing date.

Both men face up to 20 years in prison for the fraud conspiracy charge and Raad Kouza faces an additional 10 years for health care fraud.

Officials said both men billed Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for prescription medications that they did not dispense at Michigan pharmacies.

Raad was a licensed pharmacist and owned ER Drugs and Seaway Pharmacy in Taylor and Foodtown Drugs in Monroe, according to federal officials.

Raad's brother, Ramis, an Oakland County resident, was the manager of ER Drugs, according to federal officials.

The brothers stole more than $15 million from Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan from roughly 2010 though 2019, according to federal officials.

They were each charged in connection with the operation in 2020, according to federal officials.