.... The master plan included the distribution of more than 7,600 fake nursing degrees issued by three South Florida-based nursing schools, according to the indictment: Siena College in Broward County, Florida, School of Nursing of Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida and the International Sacred Heart Institute in Broward County. These schools are now closed.
The US Department of Justice officially filed criminal charges against himStanton Witherspoon, a Liberian media mogul for alleged participation in a wire fraud scheme that created illegal licensing and employment curtailment for aspiring nurses.
Witherspoon, who has been charged with more than two dozen others in the South District of Florida on conspiracy and commission of wire fraud, is the owner of Liberia's largest private media network, Spoon Communications Network.
According to three recently unsealed indictments returned by a federal grand jury in South Florida and two pieces of information presented by state attorneys, the defendants were involved in a plot to obtain fraudulent nursing degrees and transcripts obtained from accredited nursing schools in Florida were to sell to people applying for licenses and licenses for jobs. as Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical/Professional Nurses (LPNs/VNs).
The fake diplomas and credentials qualified buyers to take the national nursing exam and, upon passing, receive licenses and jobs in various states as RNs and LPNs/VNs, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida said.
According to the indictment, the overall program involved the distribution of more than 7,600 fake nursing degrees issued by three South Florida-based nursing schools: Siena College in Broward County, Florida, Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County, Florida, and Sacred Herz International. Institute in Broward County. These schools are now closed.
Each accused faces up to 20 years in prison.
Accounting records describe Siena College as a Broward County school licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education and the Florida Board of Nursing to offer a practical nursing program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN Program. Eugene Sanon headed Siena College.
The indictment is indicting defendants Stanton Witherspoon of Burlington County N.J. on; Alfred Sellu of Burlington County, New Jersey; and Rene Bernadel of Westchester County, N.Y. for conspiracy to commit and commit wire fraud.
The indictment alleges that Witherspoon, Sellu and Bernadel solicited and recruited individuals seeking nursing credentials in order to obtain employment as RNs or LPNs/VNs. These defendants are said to have worked with Sanon, who ran Siena College and is accused of wire fraud conspiracy information, to create and distribute false and fraudulent diplomas and certificates.
These false documents showed that the RN and LPN/VN applicants attended the nursing program at Siena College in Broward County and completed the courses and clinical exams necessary to earn RN or LPN/VN degrees. In fact, prospective nurses never completed the required courses and clinics.
The information against Sanon alleges that he and others sold thousands of fake Siena College nursing degrees and training certificates to nursing candidates, which they used to obtain RN or LPN/VN licenses in various states and nursing jobs with healthcare volunteers across the country to obtain.
"Not only is this a public safety issue, but it also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete the rigorous courses and clinical work required to maintain their professional licenses and employment," the Southern District Attorney said Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, who added that "A fraud scheme like this undermines public confidence in our healthcare system."
Unfortunately, crimes like this happen again and again in this area.
"Healthcare fraud is nothing new in South Florida, as many scammers see it as an easy, albeit illegal, way to make money," said Chad Yarbrough, deputy special agent at the FBI Miami. “What is disturbing about this investigation is that there are more than 7,600 people across the country with fraudulent nursing credentials who may be treating patients in critical health functions. Without the diligence and hard work of investigators in this case, the extent of this fraud might not have been uncovered."
The fees serve the purpose of a care permit, which is intended to protect the general public from harm by establishing minimum qualifications and skills.
"The alleged purchase and sale of nursing degrees and credentials to willing but unqualified individuals is a crime that potentially endangers the health and safety of patients and offends the honorable profession of nursing," said Health Ministry Special Envoy Omar Pérez Aybar. and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "In coordination with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG continues to aggressively investigate villains who appear to ignore the well-being of others for fraudulent gain."
According to the accounting documents, the purpose of the Palm Beach School of Nursing was to prepare students to meet the Florida Board of Nursing and Licensing requirements and be eligible to take the national licensing exam to work as a registered nurse.
Prosecutors are charging Broward County resident Gail Russ; 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; and François Legagneur of Nassau County, N.Y. for conspiracy to commit and commit wire fraud.
Other award winners are Reynoso Seide from Union County, N.J.; Cassandre Jean from Palm Beach County; Yelva Saint Preux from Suffolk County, New York; Evangeline Naissant of Nassau County, New York; Rony Michel from Monmouth County, New Jersey; Vilaire Duroseau of Essex County, New Jersey; and Yvrose Thermitus, also known as "Yvrose Thompson", from Union County, N.J.
The indictment alleges that these defendants recruited and recruited individuals seeking a nursing license in order to obtain employment as an RN or LPN/VN.
It is alleged that these accused recruiters then colluded with Palm Beach School of Nursing owner Johanah Napoleon and school officials Gail Russ, Cheryl Stanley, Krystal Lopez and Ricky Riley to create fake diplomas and transcripts, fraudulent claims and to distribute, which represent these RN and LPN. VN applicants have attended the Palm Beach School of Nursing and completed the courses and clinical exams required to earn the RN or LPN/VN degrees. In fact, prospective nurses never completed the required courses and clinics.
Nursing candidates used the fake diplomas and credentials they purchased from the owner and staff of the Palm Beach School of Nursing to obtain multi-state RN or LPN/VN licenses and nursing jobs with involuntary healthcare providers across the country.
Napoleon was previously charged with information and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health fraud and wire fraud and wire fraud.
According to accounting documents, Sacred Heart International Institute was a Florida Board of Nursing-licensed school in Broward County that offered a nursing program aimed at preparing students for employment as practical nurses.
The prosecution alleges 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 on conspiracy and wire fraud charges. It is alleged that these defendants solicited and recruited individuals seeking nursing credentials for employment as LPNs/VNs. These recruiters then arranged with Charles Etienne, owner of Sacred Heart, to create and disseminate false and fraudulent credentials and diplomas showing that the prospective candidates had attended Sacred Heart and completed the courses and clinical exams necessary to obtain LPN - Degrees are required. /VN. In fact, prospective nurses never completed the required courses and clinics. Etienne is charged with conspiracy to wire fraud.
Nursing candidates used the fake degrees and credentials they purchased from Sacred Heart to obtain multi-state LPN/VN licenses and nursing jobs with involuntary healthcare providers across the country.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe; Deputy Special Agent Chad Yarbrough, FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar, HHS-OIG, made the announcement.