Federal charges levied against 25 defendants in alleged nursing diploma scheme
Defendants purportedly engaged in a scheme to sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas obtained from accredited nursing schools.
Photo: Blanchi Costela/Getty Images
More than two dozen people have been charged in the Southern District of Florida for their alleged participation in a wire fraud scheme that created an illegal licensing and employment shortcut for aspiring nurses, according to the Justice Department.
According to three recently unsealed indictments returned by a South Florida federal grand jury and documents filed by federal prosecutors, defendants purportedly engaged in a scheme to sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from accredited Florida-based nursing schools to people seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs).
The bogus diplomas and transcripts qualified purchasers to sit for the national nursing board exam and, after passing it, to obtain licenses and jobs in various states as RNs and LPN/VNs, the DOJ said.
The overall scheme involved the distribution of more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas issued by three South Florida-based nursing schools: Siena College in Broward County, Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County and Sacred Heart International Institute in Broward County. These schools are now closed.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, the DOJ said.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
"The charges speak to the purpose of a nursing license, which is to protect the public from harm by setting minimum qualifications and competencies," the DOJ wrote in its notice.
The indictment against Siena College charges defendants Stanton Witherspoon of Burlington County, New Jersey; Alfred Sellu of Burlington County, New Jersey; and Rene Bernadel of Westchester County, New York with conspiring to commit and committing wire fraud. The indictment alleges the three solicited and recruited people who sought nursing credentials to gain employment as an RN or LPN/VN. It's alleged that these defendants arranged with Eunide Sanon – who managed Siena College and is charged by information with wire fraud conspiracy – to create and distribute false and fraudulent diplomas and transcripts.
These fake documents, according to the DOJ, said that the aspiring RN and LPN/VN candidates had attended Siena College's nursing program in Broward County and completed the necessary courses and clinicals to obtain RN or LPN/VN diplomas. In fact, the aspiring nurses never completed the necessary courses and clinicals, DOJ said.
The indictment against Palm Beach School of Nursing charges Gail Russ of Broward County; Cheryl Stanley of Collier County, Florida; Krystal Lopez of Palm Beach County; Ricky Riley of Broward County; Norberto Lopez of Palm Beach County; Damian Lopez of Palm Beach County; Francois Legagneur of Nassau County, New York; Reynoso Seide of Union County, New Jersey; Cassandre Jean of Palm Beach County; Yelva Saint Preux of Suffolk County, New York; Evangeline Naissant of Nassau County, New York; Rony Michel of Monmouth County, New Jersey; Vilaire Duroseau of Essex County, New Jersey; and Yvrose Thermitus, a/k/a "Yvrose Thompson," of Union County, New Jersey, with conspiring to commit, and committing, wire fraud.
The indictment against Sacred Heart International Institute charges Ludnie Jean of Harris County, Texas; Serge Jean of Harris County, Texas; Simon Itaman of Harris County, Texas; Anna Itaman of Harris County, Texas; Rhomy Louis of Suffolk County, New York; and Nadege Auguste of Broward County with conspiring to and committing wire fraud.
THE LARGER TREND
The case is being prosecuted in conjunction with a related criminal matter in the District of Maryland, DOJ said.
FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami investigated these cases, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Field Office; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General; United States Postal Inspection Service, Miami; and Florida Attorney General-Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
