7,600 Fake Nursing Diplomas Issued By 3 South FL Schools: DOJ

SOUTH FLORIDA — More than two dozen people face charges related to a wire fraud scheme to illegally issue fake diplomas from three South Florida nursing schools, according to a U.S Department of Justice news release.

The defendants sold fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts from accredited nursing schools to those seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses, the agency said.

More than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas were issued by Siena College and Sacred Heart International Institute in Broward County and Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County, the DOJ said. All three schools are now closed.

The bogus diplomas and transcripts qualified those who bought them to sit for the national nursing board exam and, after passing the test, to obtain nursing licenses and jobs in various states.

Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison.

“Not only is this a public safety concern, (but) it also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete the demanding clinical and course work required to obtain their professional licenses and employment,” Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said, adding that “a fraud scheme like this erodes public trust in our health care system.”

Crimes such as these unfortunately continue to spring up, especially in this part of the state, investigators said.

“Health care fraud is nothing new to South Florida, as many scammers see this as a way to earn easy, though illegal, money,” Chad Yarbrough, acting special agent in charge with the FBI’s Miami office, said. “What is disturbing about this investigation is that there are over 7,600 people around the country with fraudulent nursing credentials who are potentially in critical health care roles treating patients. Were it not for the diligence and hard work of the investigators on this case, the extent of this fraud may not have been discovered.”