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Original article 1/26/2023 We're available on the following channels. . State officials suggest that the fraud may have been possible because each applicant claimed to have. In 2017, the Florida Board of Nursing forced the school to cease operations due to a low National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing rate. Since 2000, the state has outsourced nurse licensure verification to Professional Credential Services of Nashville, which also reviews license applications for pharmacists, psychologists, optometrists, and many other professionals in Massachusetts. Florida More than 7,600 aspiring registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) bought false diplomas to find work with unsuspecting healthcare providers in several states. The case is set to go to trial in September. In 2013, the nursing school was forced to close due to violations of Virginia board regulations. Dec. 14, 2015 Brown Mackie nursing program director begins looking into Rivera's background, fires her the next day. A criminal compliant filed in Maryland and unsealed on Monday charges Nwaokwu, Bangura and Napoleon with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to make false statements relating to health care matters and making false statements relating to health care matters. The board suspended Raymonds license but could not pinpoint where she had worked. The company asserted Monday that it has consistently met contractual obligations and followed the directions of state officials. If you have information to report regarding this case or any other case involving falsified medical degrees, please call the FBI hotline: (410) 277-6999. Regulators identified two more people with fraudulent nursing licenses earlier this week. Her time there is not extended and her employment ends Feb. 23, 2017. Blecks case is the earliest instance of fraud the state has identified. The state is reviewing whether it wants to continue working with Professional Credential Services. In the meantime, state regulators have asked Professional Credentials Services to immediately tighten its process for checking applicants' backgrounds, particularly for those claiming a license from another state. Code Ann., Health Occ. That company, Professional Credentials Services of Nashville, also reviews applicants seeking Massachusetts licenses to work as chiropractors, occupational therapists, optometrists, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, physical therapists, podiatrists, psychologists, and certified health officers. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Frustrated nurses waiting months to get licensed : Shots - NPR April 10, 2017 Rivera charged by complaint in federal court in St. Louis. We want all Delaware nurses to be aware of this active issue and to speak up if there is a concern regarding capacity to practice safely by a colleague/peer. While pretending to be a nurse, Ms. Kandeh allegedly provided care to Medicaid recipients and submitted thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicaid. The affidavit alleges that the cost of illegitimate degrees from Nursing School 2 included preparation classes solely designed to pass the NCLEX and not to provide a formal education. The other woman, Yanick Bleck of Roslindale, agreed to have her license revoked after admitting that in 2011 she submitted a licensure application falsely stating that she had a license from Guam. The information was only released after the federal investigation and subsequent arrest of multiple individuals. Court documents also detail two separate FBI undercover operations in which the FBI purchased fraudulent degrees. Overall, the conspiracy involved the distribution of over 7,600 fake nursing diplomas and certificates issued by Florida-based nursing programs, according to officials. The women also wrote in their Oregon applications that they were licensed in Massachusetts, which would have allowed them to avoid taking Oregon's nursing examination under a system known as "reciprocity." sara.tongue1@maryland.gov. The FBI also investigated allegations that Nwaokwu and Bangura worked with people in Florida to sell illegitimate degrees for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses at a second school established by Johanah Napoleon, 45, of Wellington, Florida. May 10, 2017 Rivera indicted. Methods used by the scammers often include: 36 S. Charles Street 4th Fl. Employers who identify licensees who attended a nursing education program named in the FBI announcement should submit the licensees name, license number and employing agency or organization to Geralda Adrien and Woosvelt Predestin, business people from Fort Lauderdale, were the first arrested and have both pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215-2254, Direct Entry Midwifery Advisory Committee, Adoni Health formerly Leads School of Technology, American International Institute of Health (AIIH) Practical Nursing Program, Camtech School of Nursing and Technological Sciences, Capscare Academy for Health Care Education, Chester Career College Practical Nursing Education Program, National School of Nursing and Allied Health (NSNAH) Practical Nursing Program, Virginia School of Nursing and Medical Institute Practical Nursing Program, http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/getfile.aspx?file=10.27.01.05.htm. Copyright Maryland.gov. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. After being alerted to the Oregon cases, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing suspended both women's licenses at an emergency meeting in early August. At nurse.org, we believe that no one knows nurses better than, well, nurses. To take di license exam to fit practice nursing, you must present nursing degree, and na dia kasala dey burst. Three people are accused of selling fake nursing transcripts and diplomas, which were then used by several individuals to obtain medical licenses, according to a July 16 news release from the U.S . The state has also posted a list of its disciplinary actions resulting from the fraud investigation on its. State licensing boards are also scrambling Delaware has annulled 26 licenses of working nurses, Georgia has asked 22 to surrender their licenses, and Washington state is . DE Annuls 26 Nurse Licenses Connected To Fake Nursing Diploma Scheme 25 individuals charged in massive nursing fraud scheme - NewsNation Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Official websites use .gov If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The scheme, which. COLLEGE PARK, Md. In March 2019, a witness told the FBI that Patrick Nwaokwu, 50, of Laurel, Maryland, and Musa Bangura, 62, of Manassas, Virginia, were . Matt Holliday creates hitting 'consultant' gig after declining Cardinals' role: All-Star Extra, Three killed, 14 injured in crash of Greyhound bus heading to St. Louis, Washington University researchers develop air monitor that detects COVID-19 virus, 'There's a reason why I opted in': Nolan Arenado wants a hand in Cardinals turnaround, Opportunity lost: Welcome to would have been, could have been Cardinals All-Star Game, Holleman: St. Louis mayors cursing cloaked the real news in her text exchanges. Investigators found 11 similar cases over the past year. The following people were charged in the case: "The demand for nurses is high and continues to grow," said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe. Some individuals whose transcripts were backdated are included in this list as having passed the New York State Board Examination. According to affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Nwaokwu, Bangura, and Napoleon conspired with others to commit health care fraud by producing and selling fraudulent nursing transcripts and diplomas, which were used to indicate that various individuals completed necessary courses and clinical hours to obtain medical licenses and practice in the health care field. ST. LOUIS A woman who spent months working as a nurse at a St. Louis hospital and teaching nursing at a New Mexico college admitted on Thursday that shed lied about her nursing credentials and work experience. In September 2020, an FBI source wearing a recording device attended a test prep class in that Nwaokwu led in an office building in Laurel, Maryland. But the Oregon State Board of Nursing rejected their applications after finding both women had falsely stated they had passed a national nursing licensure exam, completed a nursing education program, and met the nursing practice requirement. The former St. Alexius Hospital, now South City Hospital, in a Google Street View image. West Palm-area nursing school one of three targeted in fake diploma The Georgia Board of Nursing sent letters to the individuals asking them to voluntarily surrender their nursing licenses within 30 days. customers, and stakeholders with Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. Nwaokwu, and his associates also allegedly coached otherwise unqualified individuals to pass nursing board exams. At least nine had worked as nurses in Massachusetts, primarily in nursing homes. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free Cardinals at the break: What lessons from disastrous first half can fix flaws for 2024? fraud hotline to receive allegations of Pages - Operation Nightingale and the Fraudulent Nursing School We've looked at programs nationwide and determined these are our top schools. A health department spokesman declined to say whether officials believe the cases are related, and a spokeswoman in the attorney general's office declined comment. Dubbed Operation Nightingale after Florence Nightingale (the founder of modern nursing), individuals who operated and recruited for Sacred Heart Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Sienna College of Health in Lauderhill, and Palm Beach School of Nursing in West Palm Beach were arrested and charged. At least two said they had attended colleges that had no record of their attendance, according to state documents. DNA commends the Delaware Board of Nursing and others for their prompt and swift actions to continue protecting our communities.. A locked padlock Baltimore, MD 21201, Southern Division The owners and operators of nursing schools in Virginia and Florida have been charged with plotting to sell bogus transcripts and diplomas, helping unqualified candidates pass nursing board exams and get health care jobs, federal authorities said Friday. Within days of learning of this nationwide scheme, we removed three nurses from patient care at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. The Maryland General Assembly's Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. The Delaware Board of Nursing announced the annulment of 26 nurse licenses connected to the fake nursing diploma scheme in Florida. The criminal complaint alleges that after that time, Nwaokwu and Bangura operated the former nursing school as an entity where individuals could purchase backdated, illegitimate registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) transcripts and certifications. And it does shock the mind," said Omar Perez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Even those states have their own online systems that can quickly confirm whether someone has a legitimate license. Kay Lazar can be reached at Kay.Lazar@globe.com. Join 1 Million+ Nurses and Nursing Students to Inform and Uplift the Profession. The acknowledgment by the women of their fraudulent actions prompted members of the nursing board to wonder whether "a larger enterprise" had helped the nurses in their deception, according to minutes of that meeting. State officials suggest that the fraud may have been possible because each applicant claimed to have licenses from one of eight states that do not fully participate in the Nursys online database used to verify licenses. JavaScript is required to use content on this page. Jan. 27, 2023 More than two dozen people have been charged in connection with a scheme in which fake nursing diplomas were sold to buyers who then used the credentials to obtain nursing. Predestin was an employee. Operation Nightingale - Texas Board of Nursing 899 people received care from fake nurse at B.C. Women's Hospital Check out our list of the top non-bedside nursing careers. licenses of 17 people and denied license applications for four. said Kathleen Czekanski, the dean of the school of nursing at La Salle University. State resources. However, the federal investigation didnt begin until 2019, after a tip from Maryland that initially targeted two individuals. In March 2019, a witness told the FBI that Patrick Nwaokwu, 50, of Laurel, Maryland, and Musa Bangura, 62, of Manassas, Virginia, were creating illegitimate transcripts and certificates through a nursing school in in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Highest Paying Jobs For Nurses With a BSN, Types of Masters in Nursing Degrees & Specialties, Pros & Cons of Getting a Master's Degree in Nursing, Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant, Highest Paid Nurse Practitioner Specialties, How to Conduct a Nursing Head-to-Toe Assessment, How to Read an Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), Understanding and Interpreting the Glasgow Coma Scale, Complete List of Common Nursing Certifications. "I encourage those of you -- if you're in a setting and you happen to have someone that may not be practicing up to the standards as you understand it, maybe if you see something, say something. But health officials were unable to say where they had been employed. Information reported to the equally, but do you know which nurses are making the most money in 2023? National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential. Dallas, Texas 75201. We know that at one point she was employed in health care in the state, Zoback said. Un-Approved Out of State Nursing Education Programs. 750 North St.Paul St. Providers DOJ charges 25 in alleged scheme that sold thousands of fake degrees to aspiring nurses By Dave Muoio Jan 26, 2023 04:13pm lawsuit DOJ Fraud Nursing Share A scheme allowed those who. Kay Lazar can be reached at kay.lazar@globe.com. All Rights Reserved. The July 12, 1973, fire in Overland is believed to be the largest loss of records in one catastrophe in U.S. history. In accordance with the Maryland Nurse Practice Act, Md. When her contract was notextended in February, McMurtry said she applied for a job with a Chicago staffing agency, making the same false claims about her education and background, McMurtry said. Hochman: With the team an abomination to Cardinals Nation, will it affect trades? Please enable scripts and reload this page. 7600 Fake Nursing Degrees Were Sold In Florida, Feds Arrest 25 Suspects By: Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC Update 1/27/2023 The Delaware Board of Nursing announced the annulment of 26 nurse licenses connected to the fake nursing diploma scheme in Florida. The other fraudulent licenses were filed within the past 15 months. October 2015 Rivera teaches Care of Children and Adolescents course. The public should be reassured that longstanding safeguards alerted regulators to these cases, and resultant actions have already been completed. Stephanie Garcia, 29, who went by Stephanie Holcomb, has since been charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and two counts of nursing regulations - license required. District of Maryland | Three Individuals Facing Federal Charges for In the wake of the discovery about the nurses' applications, the state health department said it is "currently evaluating" whether it will retain Professional Credentials Services for future work. By continuing to use our site, you acknowledge that you have read, that you understand, and that you accept our. Riveras ruse was discovered by the Chicago agency, Alternate Nurse Staffing Solutions, company co-owner Jennifer Tse told the Post-Dispatch earlier this year. professionals to write our content whenever possible. By Kay Lazar and Felice J. Freyer Globe Staff, September 12, 2015, 10:33 p.m. Massachusetts regulators revoked or suspended the professional licenses of 13 nurses after discovering recently that . possible. State regulators said three of the nurses had completed education programs to become licensed practical nurses, but had falsely indicated they had more advanced training. According to the arrest affidavit, all defendants were charged with conspiring to and committing wire fraud, prosecutors said. . Felice J. Freyer can be reached at felice.freyer@globe.com. As part of a plan called Operation Nightingale, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General launched an investigation into an alleged scheme where prospective. Attempts late Friday to reach Professional Credentials Services, and its chief executive, Mark Setash, were unsuccessful. On Thursday, February 16th, the Washington Department of Health releases the names of ten registered nurses (RNs) that have failed to provide adequate qualifications for licensure. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. Palm Beach School of Nursing From April 2016 to July 2021, at least seven nurses obtained fake diplomas from the Palm Beach School of Nursing, Sunshine Academy, Quisqeya and Florida College. Beware of Scammers Using Falsified Documents - Texas Board of Nursing Cardinals owners, front office and manager share blame of a losing team: Mid-season report card. accessible and convenient, and hotline in the past has helped to eliminate On Wednesday, it wasannounced that several Florida-based nursing programs issued over 7,600 fake nursing diplomas and certificates. The Becker's Hospital Review website uses cookies to display relevant ads and to enhance your browsing experience. Can You Get an Associate Degree in Nursing Online? "It is a shame that certain people and institutions connected to the nursing profession try to circumvent its educational requirements. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). Lauderhill Pair Charged In Scheme To Sell Fake Nursing Diplomas Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych. Woman admits faking nursing credentials to work in hospital in St. Louis. In a coordinated effort between local, state, and federal officials 25 suspects were arrested in the massive multi-state scheme. go-to source for nursing news, trending topics, and educational resources. She claimed to have worked in a New Mexico hospital and to have graduated with a bachelors degree in nursing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dorothy McMurtry said during the plea hearing Thursday. Delaware is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) which means nurses that are originally licensed in Delaware have the ability to practice nursing in other eNLC states. It is this safety infrastructure embedded within our profession that protects the public, and maintains the high integrity standards of nursing. Most of them were from New York, which allows students to take the exams as many times as they want. to provide constituents, businesses, Johanana Napolean, the president of Palm Beach School of Nursing, pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge, cooperated with authorities, and is awaiting sentencing. Unfortunately, some of the students that were recruited were legitimate LPNs who wanted to become registered nurses. Nurses were recently named the #1 most trusted profession for a record 21 years by an annual Gallup poll. FBI: 3 nursing school operators accused of selling fake diplomas The Department of Veterans Affairs has had to remove 89 phony-degreed nurses from direct patient care as a result of what the Feds call "Operation Nightingale.'' (The VA says it has uncovered no. 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, who added that a fraud scheme like this erodes public trust in our health care system.. fraud and/or abuse of State government What Does VEAL CHOP Stand For in Nursing? Fake Nursing School Update: Washington State and Texas Release Names Stephanie Garcia, 29, who went by Stephanie Holcomb, has since been charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and two counts of nursing regulations license required to practice nursing, according to this story from the Marshall News Messenger. Nurses are frustrated by months-long delays to get licensed in some states. This information is based on criminal court records and records of the New Mexico Board of Nursing, Calvary and Bellefontaine cemeteries are both closed to the public after storms that swept through the region July 1 snapped trees, toppled po. Their removal is very unfortunate but patient safety is and must be our primary responsibility at VA, said VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes. No additional information about where the 26 nurses were practicing has been released. The Delaware State Board of Nursing did not release the names of the individuals that have lost their nursing licenses but stated that additional information regarding the investigation and licenses will be released sometime in February. Attorney Joel DeFabio defended Napoleon in an email to the Associated Press. 7600 Fake Nursing Degrees Were Sold In Florida, Feds Arrest 25 Suspects Most state nursing boards waive testing requirements if applicants are already licensed in another state, and both women had received Massachusetts licenses, Eustache in January and Tunis in May. Fake Nursing Degree Providers Charged by DOJ | Fierce Healthcare At this time, the 26 individuals have not been arrested; however, officials will be looking into their nursing performance history for any incidences that could be concerning. In addition, Mr. Butcher contends there is an extended statute of limitation of three years after the incident to charge an individual with practicing without a license, according to the report. Copyright © 2023 Becker's Healthcare. Suite 2100 ", >> Read: Why Nursing School Accreditation Matters. The nursing board accepts licenses from other states or territories as evidence that a person has graduated from an accredited school and has passed the nursing qualifying exam. Ms. Kandeh was employed at Automatic Nursing Care Services between October 2012 and December 2016, and prosecutors say she was not licensed by the Maryland Board of Nursing to practice registered nursing during that time. In accordance with the Maryland Nurse Practice Act, Md. (AP) The owners and operators of nursing schools in Virginia and Florida have been charged with plotting to sell bogus transcripts and diplomas, helping unqualified candidates. may be identified as having submitted fraudulent applications and urged them to compare the states list of recent license revocations and suspensions against their staff rosters. go-to source for nursing news, trending topics, and educational resources. The people who allegedly held fraudulent nursing licenses were taking advantage of reciprocity, a provision that makes it easier for nurses licensed in other states to obtain a Massachusetts license. The unusual warning and statewide review come more than two weeks after the state revoked or suspended 13 nursing licenses because it found evidence of fraud. accessible and convenient, and . We strive to be the Many females are licensed under different surnames than the ones appearing on their nametags or work badges. Nursing school operators charged with selling bogus diplomas - Yahoo News In September 2016, Rivera used the name and license number of a New Mexico nurse with a similar name to apply for a job with a St. Louis area staffing agency, identified in court documents as ATC Healthcare Services. 6406 Ivy Lane Suite 800 The state has also posted a list of its disciplinary actions resulting from the fraud investigation on its website. Florida nursing schools sold thousands of fake diplomas totaling $100M The letters were sent on January 17th and so far none of the nurses have turned their licenses over.