WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission has reached a proposed settlement that would permanently bar Dennise Merdjanian from the debt relief industry and telemarketing, resolving allegations that she helped operate a student loan forgiveness scheme that collected more than $45.9 million from consumers.
The proposed order, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, concludes the FTC’s litigation against the remaining defendants in a case alleging borrowers were misled into paying for fraudulent student loan debt relief services.
According to the FTC, Merdjanian and Nevada-based Superior Servicing LLC falsely claimed to be affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education while promising consumers they could obtain student loan forgiveness.
Federal regulators sued the company and Merdjanian in November 2024. A federal judge later halted the operation and froze its assets. In early 2025, the FTC expanded the lawsuit to include additional companies and alleged scheme operators Eric Caldwell and David Hernandez.
The court entered orders against Caldwell and Hernandez in September 2025, prohibiting both from participating in the debt relief industry. Caldwell was also permanently barred from telemarketing, while Hernandez was prohibited from violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
Under the proposed settlement, Merdjanian will be permanently prohibited from providing debt relief services or engaging in telemarketing.
The order also imposes a monetary judgment exceeding $45.9 million. The FTC said most of that amount will be suspended because of Merdjanian’s inability to pay. However, the full judgment would become immediately due if she is found to have materially misrepresented her financial condition.
The FTC approved the proposed settlement by a 2-0 vote. The order will take effect if approved by the federal court.
The agency directs borrowers seeking legitimate assistance with federal student loans to StudentAid.gov, where repayment and forgiveness programs are available at no cost. The FTC also maintains consumer guidance on avoiding student loan debt relief scams at ftc.gov/StudentLoans.
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