12 more individuals charged in Florida nurse degree scheme

Prosecutors in Florida have charged 12 former nursing school owners and employees with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a coordinated scheme to sell thousands of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts to aspiring nurses.

Four notes:

1. On Sept. 15, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida said charges have been filed against 12 defendants for their alleged roles in selling fake nursing credentials to individuals seeking RN and LPN licensure. Two of the individuals — Patrick Buchannan and Herline Lochard — pleaded guilty. Ms. Lochard was sentenced to 13 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, while Mr. Buchannan will be sentenced Nov. 19.

2. The latest indictments involve individuals who were employed at six now-closed for-profit nursing schools. This marks the second phase of an investigation, known as Operation Nightingale, that was launched in January 2023. Thirty people were charged and convicted for their participation in the scheme during the investigation’s first phase, according to the attorney general’s office. 

3. The sham generated more than 7,300 fake nursing transcripts and diplomas. Officials estimate that around 37% of individuals with phony documents passed the National Council Licensure Examination and presumably went on to secure employment.

4. Many nurses who attended the involved schools have claimed they are innocent. In May 2023, an attorney for three nurses who said they were accused of wrongdoing told Becker’s his clients rightfully earned their degrees and were “lumped in with people who bought their transcripts.” 

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