Your daily recap of the top stories of the day. resources. The Maryland Board of Nursing (the "Board") has assisted the FBI throughout its criminal investigation and has been a national leader in conducting board investigations into fraudulent nursing credentials. Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych. Pennsylvania unemployment compensation fraud spikes after new system is installed, Pa. database tracks complaints against police officers: We want our bad apples out. Copyright 2023 Becker's Healthcare. truthful and transparent services. Most of those found to have fraudulently obtained licenses in Massachusetts submitted licenses from the few states that dont participate in Nursys, the nurse licensing database. The Maryland General Assemblys Office Regulators embarked on a review of licenses recently granted to nurses who stated in their applications that they had licenses in other states. Anything that raises a flag, we are doing a review by hand, including contacting any entity we need to contact, he said. 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. 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. This is very common, especially among travel nurses. Regulators identified two more people with fraudulent nursing licenses earlier this week. ("Health Occ.") that's continuously reviewed to ensure its as relevant and accurate as Attendance? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. An attorney for Nwaokwu didnt immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment. State officials suggest that the fraud may have been possible because each applicant claimed to have. The Texas Board of Nursing says a woman there worked for about five monthsfrom May 2017 to Oct. 2017using registered nurse licensure information that didnt belong to her. secure nursing licenses . 36 S. Charles Street 4th Fl. Original article 1/26/2023 States Are Trying To Expose 'Fake Nurses' Through Public Sites Federal indictment over fake Florida nursing diplomas leaves 26 An official website of the United States government. 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. 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. that's continuously reviewed to ensure its as relevant and accurate as 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. The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission rescinded the R.N. 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. . (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. Copyright Maryland.gov. Nwaokwu did little to address the students concern before he moved to the next topic, the affidavit said. National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential. "These people who went to these Florida schools did not complete the curriculum, the clinical training that is required of all nurses to be eligible to be licensed as a nurse," said Dr. Zickafoose. possible. 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. Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career. On Wednesday, it wasannounced that several Florida-based nursing programs issued over 7,600 fake nursing diplomas and certificates. Fake nurse in Maryland submitted thousands of false Medicaid claims Bruce Holter, information specialist at the Texas Medical Board, tells me these sorts of imposter cases arent exceedingly rare (a trip through the boards alerts about the cases, found here, confirms that; there were nine in 2017). One of them was the Palm Beach School of Nursing on . The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has been made aware of attempted scams directed at nurses where scammers use falsified BON and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) documents to intimidate victims in an effort to have money sent to bank accounts outside of the United States. Samantha Rivera, 36, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to health care fraud and identity theft. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. October 2015 Rivera teaches Care of Children and Adolescents course. According to the criminal complaint, Nwaokwu conspired with individuals in Florida to sell illegitimate nursing degrees from a second nursing school (Nursing School 2) established by Napoleon in July 2016. November 2015 Rivera assists an instructor in Care of Adults course. accessible and convenient, and Copyright Maryland.gov. Im afraid of killing the patient, the student responded, causing the class to erupt in laughter, the agent wrote. Please enable scripts and reload this page. go-to source for nursing news, trending topics, and educational resources. Looking for a change beyond the bedside? 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. Scott Zoback, Health Department spokesman, said the state had been unable to locate one of the two people identified this week, Josette Raymond, who wrote on her application that she lives in Malden and was licensed as a registered nurse in Puerto Rico and Oklahoma. COLLEGE PARK, Md. A group of area officials and scientists has mounted a campaign to post signs across this St. Louis suburb, warning residents of flooding high. Nurses are frustrated by months-long delays to get licensed in some states. National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential. The board suspended Raymonds license but could not pinpoint where she had worked. We strive to be the Regulators identified two more people . Join 1 Million+ Nurses and Nursing Students to Inform and Uplift the Profession. 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 . At least two said they had attended colleges that had no record of their attendance, according to state documents. She was sentenced to probation and house arrest. 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. But only one of the original 13 found to have fraudulent licenses had passed the exam. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. What Does VEAL CHOP Stand For in Nursing? Ms. Kandeh's attorney filed a motion to dismiss three charges in the case, arguing the state missed a one-year statute of limitations for charging Ms. Kandeh with Medicaid fraud, identity theft and practicing without a license. Top Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurses, Top Nursing Interview Questions & Answers, How to Create a New Graduate Nurse Resume, Best White Shoes for Nurses and Nursing Students, Best Stethoscopes for Nurses and Nursing Students, How to Work in the US as a Foreign-Educated Nurse, Why Nursing is a Great Career Choice for Men, Best Online Master's in Nursing (MSN) Programs for 2023, How to Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Samantha L. Riveraadmitted faking her nursing credentials to get work at a St. Louis hospital and a New Mexico college. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. Increased awareness and continued action are key to the ongoing mitigation of these cases. Follow us and never miss out on the best in nursing news. Centered in South Florida, a network of nursing school operators charged each student roughly $10,000 for a licensed practical nurse degree (LPN) and $17,000 for a registered nurse (RN) degree. 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. State reviews nursing licenses after fraud is found 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. JavaScript is required to use content on this page. certain fraudulent activities and protect Code Ann., Health Occ. Cardinals owners, front office and manager share blame of a losing team: Mid-season report card. Can You Get an Associate Degree in Nursing Online? 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. Garcias lack of education and experience became evident to at least one patient at the Marshall-based Davita Dialysis clinic, according to the News Messenger. The other fraudulent licenses were filed within the past 15 months. She also presented a fake employment history that said shed been a nurse since 2011. Attorneys Erin B. Pulice and Catherine K. Dick, who are prosecuting the federal case. fraud and/or abuse of State government March 9, 2017 Rivera applies for a job with Alternate Nurse Staffing Solutions in Chicago, triggering an investigation by staff there into her background. Have a question about Government Services? The AP examined hundreds of pages of internal memos, inspection reports and other items dating to the early 1950s. State resources. Woman admits faking nursing credentials to work in hospital in St. Louis Four others Jeannot Maceus of Dorchester, Claudel Jean Baptiste of Brockton, Guerla M. Belony of Randoph, and Herold Philippe of Brockton agreed to have their licenses revoked. 6406 Ivy Lane Suite 800 Information reported to the In addition, denied the applications of four individuals that had qualifications from schools involved in the Florida nursing school scandal. Operation Nightingale Uncovers Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme On January 25, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and law enforcement partners launched a multi-state coordinated law enforcement action to apprehend individuals engaged in a scheme to sell false and fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts. Baltimore, Maryland A criminal complaint has been filed charging Patrick Nwaokwu, age 50, of Laurel, Maryland; Musa Bangura, age 62, of Manassas, Virginia; and Johanah Napoleon, age 45, of Wellington, Florida with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to commit false statements relating to health care matters, and false statements to health care matters, in connection with a scheme to produce and sell fraudulent nursing transcripts and diplomas. The case is set to go to trial in September. The scheme, which. 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. Fake Nursing School Degrees? Here's What We Know About The Federal No additional information about where the 26 nurses were practicing has been released. 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. Her time there is not extended and her employment ends Feb. 23, 2017. In 2017, the Florida Board of Nursing forced the school to cease operations due to a low National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing rate. We know that at one point she was employed in health care in the state, Zoback said. But after another instance emerged, dating to 2012, regulators extended their investigation of licences granted under reciprocity to 2010, according to the state health department. Last week, the Massachusetts nursing board suspended the licenses of seven nurses. A situation last year at a dialysis clinic in East Texas provides good reason for healthcare employers to double down on their background check protocols. 8-101 et seq., specifically Health Occ. Massive nursing degree scheme leads to hunt for 2,800 fraudulent nurses "This is probably one of the most brazen schemes that I've seen. Some of those who graduated from the Florida nursing school with backdated transcripts are listed as people who passed the New York State Board Examination, the FBI says. A significant number of the nurses who passed went on to secure licenses and work in healthcare settings in states including Louisiana, Washington, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Georgia, and Texas. But they are, by and large, preventable. 7,600 Fake Nursing Diplomas Were Sold in Scheme, U.S. Says Nursing Board Says Woman Faked an RN License to Work as a Dialysis A locked padlock accessible and convenient, and Cardinals go with power move in first round, draft Arizona slugger Chase Davis at No. The alleged selling and purchasing of nursing diplomas and transcripts to willing but unqualified individuals is a crime that potentially endangers the health and safety of patients and insults the honorable profession of nursing, Aybar added. JavaScript is required to use content on this page. June 2015 Rivera interviews at Brown Mackie College in Albuquerque. We've looked at programs nationwide and determined these are our top schools. How Thousands Of Nurses Got Licensed With Fake Degrees - Forbes possible. ATLANTA Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray has learned that 22 nurses practicing in Georgia have allegedly obtained their licenses with fake diplomas or transcripts. Ms. Kandeh is charged with felony theft, identity theft and Medicaid fraud, as well as a misdemeanor offense of practicing without a license, according to the report. Stay up-to-date with important news developments, delivered right to your inbox. And the discovery raised the unsettling prospect that patients might have been treated by health care workers with fraudulent credentials, although regulators said there is no evidence so far linking the nurses to any patient safety or quality of care issues. The Board continues its active investigation into this serious matter and will take any actions necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Marylanders. That's why we rely on registered nurses and other experienced healthcare We've looked at programs nationwide and determined these are our top schools. Sept. 13, 2016 Rivera applied for a job with ATC Healthcare Services of Warson Woods. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 20+ practicing Georgia nurses obtained licenses with fake diplomas or The Georgia Board . The public should be reassured that longstanding safeguards alerted regulators to these cases, and resultant actions have already been completed. Johanana Napolean, the president of Palm Beach School of Nursing, pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge, cooperated with authorities, and is awaiting sentencing. Thank you for your assistance with this serious matter. The students who passed the nursing exam may lose their certification according to the FBI but will not be criminally prosecuted. Published July 19, 2021 at 9:12 AM EDT Dom / Federal investigators allege the pair assisted individuals in acquiring fake diplomas and transcripts from nursing schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Pages - Fraudulent Nursing School Investigation - Maryland Board of Nursing said Kathleen Czekanski, the dean of the school of nursing at La Salle University. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison. That means that you can trust us to have reliable, up-to-date information The Georgia State Board of Nursing and Raffensperger's office are currently working with the FBI to determine the next steps to revoke the licenses of the 22 nurses if they do not surrender the licenses voluntarily. 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. The State of Maryland pledges Nwaokwu asked a student, What are you most concerned about? according to an FBI agents affidavit. 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 . 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. State regulators have alerted officials in other states about the expanding probe in Massachusetts, and has contacted the organization that runs Nursys, a national database for verifying nurse licensure, according to Zoback. Woman admits faking nursing credentials to work in hospital in St. Louis. DNAs Executive Director, Christopher E. Otto, MSN, RN, PCCN, CCRN, stated, This unparalleled act of fraud and deceit does not reflect the integrity of our profession. go-to source for nursing news, trending topics, and educational resources. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Webb also told the paper that Garcia repeatedly failed to put the anti-clotting medication Heparin into her central venous catheter, which Webb says resulted in surgeries to replace the catheter maybe twice a week. Webb says Garcia was messing with it, not knowing what she was doing.. Court documents also detail two separate FBI undercover operations in which the FBI purchased fraudulent degrees. The state has also posted a list of its disciplinary actions resulting from the fraud investigation on its. The Board has been diligently and expeditiously working to identify and investigate any Maryland licensees who attended a fraudulent nursing education program. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. On January 25, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigations ("FBI") publicly announced its enforcement actions against a large-scale fraudulent nursing diploma scheme operated by Florida-based nursing education programs. Others listed nursing degrees from fictitious schools, regulators said. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. By Sasha Pezenik January 25, 2023, 5:27 PM 2:02 Feds announce takedown of fake nursing diploma scheme Authorities are warning health care facilities nationwide after takin.Read More We're available on the following channels. Napolen has worked very hard over the past 20 years to make a name for herself in the South Florida business community. Lock The Georgia Board of Nursing sent letters to the individuals asking them to voluntarily surrender their nursing licenses within 30 days. Massachusetts regulators revoked or suspended the professional licenses of 13 nurses after discovering recently that the health care workers lied about having nursing degrees or being licensed in other states, health department documents show. "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. It is this safety infrastructure embedded within our profession that protects the public, and maintains the high integrity standards of nursing. Later transferred to the Gero-Psych unit. 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. Pages - Operation Nightingale and the Fraudulent Nursing School Georgia recently announced that 22 nurses are under investigation after news of the fake nursing diplomas broke. 8-302 (b) and (c), all applicants for licensure as an RN or LPN must have completed satisfactorily and met all requirements for a diploma or degree . 2,800 Fraudulent Nurses May Be Working in the U.S. After Buying Fake Baltimore, MD 21201, Southern Division to provide constituents, businesses, ", "We understand that this conduct has no reflection on the hard work and dedication that [nurses] put into making this profession honorable, and so thank you for that," Aybar said. Many females are licensed under different surnames than the ones appearing on their nametags or work badges. Tse said Rivera failed a basic test of ICU skills, triggering an investigation by agency employees that showed that her nursing license and her rsum were fraudulent. Nwaokwu, Bangura, Napoleon, and their coconspirators allegedly sold illegitimate transcripts and degrees for between $6,000 and $18,000. sara.tongue1@maryland.gov. "So immediately you think, 'wow, will the public trust us when you hear stories like that?'" Operation Nightingale - Texas Board of Nursing Information reported to the Copyright © 2023 Becker's Healthcare. Even those states have their own online systems that can quickly confirm whether someone has a legitimate license. 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. Paul Kemp, an attorney for Musa Bangura, declined to comment on the charges. But health officials were unable to say where they had been employed. After the news of the fake nursing diplomas rocked the healthcare world, Delaware is the first state to announce that 26 nursing licenses have been revoked. Why don't you get it in something less stressful and more . Fake Nursing School Update: Washington State and Texas Release Names Updated: Jan 26, 2023 / 07:59 AM CST MIAMI ( NewsNation ) Federal agents launched a multi-state operation Wednesday that focused on busting a massive fraudulent nursing diploma scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The Florida Board of Nursing shut down Napoleons school in May 2017 for having a low passing rate on licensure exams, according to an FBI agents affidavit. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. 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. Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career. You know all nursing jobs arent created (or paid!) of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free She surrendered voluntarily to face these charges and looks forward to clearing her name in court, DeFabio said. Looking for a change beyond the bedside? For example, one of my former coworkers is still licensed under her maiden name even though her nametag displays her married name. of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free The diploma from Nursing School 2 appears to be signed by Napoleon with a graduation date of June 29, 2018. These are the best nursing shoes as rated by nurses. A notice from the Texas Board of Nursing, available online here, says that an investigation eventually showed Garcias date of birth, social security number, and address didnt match anyone with a license or privilege to practice within Texas. In accordance with the Maryland Nurse Practice Act, Md. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland, FBI Undercover Operations Lead to Purchase of Fraudulent Degrees, Three Individuals Facing Federal Charges for Participating in a Healthcare Fraud Scheme to Sell Fraudulent Nursing Degrees, Florida Woman Convicted After Eight-Day Trial For The Voluntary Manslaughter of Her Girlfriend, Baltimore Man Facing Federal Charges For Murder For Hire Resulting In The Death Of A Baltimore Woman, Witness Retaliation And Witness Tampering, United States Army National Guardsman And Former Rockville, Maryland Police Officer Sentenced To 42 Months In Federal Prison For Possessing Over 12,000 Depictions Of Child Pornography.