There are potentially thousands of practicing nurses currently employed with fake diplomas, according to the Department of Justice. On Wednesday, the agency announced charges against more than two dozen individuals alleged to be involved in an illegal licensing scheme that issued aspiring nurses with unearned diplomas from three accredited nursing schools in Florida.
“Not only is this a public safety concern, it also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete the demanding clinical and course work required to obtain their professional licenses and employment,” said U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe.
Lapointe added, “A fraud scheme like this erodes public trust in our health care system.”
The alleged wire-fraud scheme, which occurred between 2016 and 2021, involved three South Florida schools, including Siena College, Palm Beach School of Nursing, and Sacred Heart International Institute. Those schools are now closed.
The DOJ accused the charged individuals of selling fake diplomas for approximately $15,000 each as an employment shortcut for aspiring nurses. Each defendant now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Aspiring nurses who obtained illegal credentials could move on to…
