A dozen defendants face new charges related to a Florida-based fraud scheme that involved selling nursing diplomas and transcripts to people who would go on and take nursing roles in home health and other settings, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, the defendants conspired to sell false nursing credentials — diplomas and transcripts fraudulently obtained from Florida-based nursing schools — to aspiring RN and LPN candidates.
In total, the scheme generated approximately 7,300 fake diplomas.
Among those charged was Carleen Noreus, 51, of Broward County, Fla. She is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. According to the indictment, Noreus served as the president of Carleen Home Health School, Inc., located in Plantation, and Vice President of Carleen Home Health School II, Inc., located in West Palm Beach.
The DOJ claims, between January 2019 and September 2022, Noreus and her co-conspirators solicited and recruited individuals seeking nursing credentials and health care employment. Noreus and others created and distributed fraudulent transcripts and diplomas that falsely represented the recipients had completed the necessary coursework and clinical training at Carleen Home Health School or Carleen Home Health School II. In reality, the individuals had not completed the required education or training.
Co-conspirators used these false and fraudulent documents to obtain nursing licenses in various states, including California, Pennsylvania and Florida, according to the DOJ. Under the Nurse Licensure Compact, individuals who secured multi-state licenses through the fraud were also authorized to practice in other compact states without additional licensing.