Florida Nursing Schools Accused of Selling Thousands of Fake Diplomas in Scheme Worth Millions

[{"selector":"#anim-a834325b-eb32-4f6f-8f41-fcf8d7787386 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Three Florida nursing schools (Siena College, Palm Beach School of Nursing and Sacred Heart International Institute) are accused of selling thousands of fake nursing diplomas

[{"selector":"#anim-381c75dd-6b1b-48a2-b7f7-d9b1a6bc1c01 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] 1) Recruitment of aspirants, 2) Fake degrees & transcripts, 3) Passing national nursing board exam. OIG report: Scheme of three parts

[{"selector":"#anim-f269b20b-ec23-4ca4-bc88-f2153ed81fa4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The schools distributed more than 7,600 fraudulent diplomas worth over $100 million or roughly $15,000 per diploma.

[{"selector":"#anim-9dca8cc1-3bd0-40e6-9421-2c22f3114da7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] – All the schools are now defunct

[{"selector":"#anim-058ccfc3-e55f-4b01-a638-7f1eb3e51bbc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The DOJ is prosecuting participants in the alleged scheme in five separate cases.

[{"selector":"#anim-6a342ede-36d5-4807-b339-2574c173b8b1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.17499990397451%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] – 25 defendants including school directors and diploma recipients were charged in the scheme and each face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

[{"selector":"#anim-9708ba03-ac74-42f2-97d0-5bb5e07c00e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] – Attorneys for defendants were not listed in a federal court database.