‘Coupon Connie’ Convicted in $2-Million Fraud Scheme

A woman dubbed “Coupon Connie” because of her passion for clipping coupons and proof-of-purchase seals was convicted Tuesday on charges that she took part in a $2-million scheme to swap and redeem hundreds of thousands of bogus coupons.

Connie Arvidson, 34, of Boca Raton, Fla., was convicted on two counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy.

“She was the person knowingly buying and selling large numbers of coupons,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Steve Sucsy said. “Her statement to the effect she was only doing what any number of innocent housewives were doing was not so.”

The jury also convicted David Rees of Center Point, Tex., of the only charge against him--a conspiracy count, said Maureen Ruprecht, court coordinator for U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater.

Arvidson, also known as the “Dumpster Lady” because she would root through garbage bins looking for coupons, faces up to 15 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. Sentencing is scheduled for March 23.

“I’ve always felt that I was being made an example of, so the prosecution ought to be happy,” Arvidson said after the verdict.

The defendants were accused of counterfeiting more than 600,000 copies of coupons issued by 47 companies, including Procter & Gamble Co., Nabisco Brands Inc. and Campbell Soup Co.