Gail Russ, Wire Fraud and Conspiracy, Florida 2024

Gail Russ Convicted in Nursing Diploma Scheme

MIAMI, FL - In a shocking turn of events, Gail Russ, the former registrar of the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Lake Worth, Florida, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for her role in a massive nursing diploma scheme.

According to court documents, Russ was found guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges following a three-week jury trial in Fort Lauderdale. The scheme, which involved the distribution of over 7,600 fake nursing diplomas, was uncovered by federal investigators and resulted in the conviction of 27 defendants, including Russ.

On April 2, U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal handed down the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release and the forfeiture of $861,672. Russ was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to begin serving her sentence.

Russ was charged along with 11 co-defendants for their involvement in the scheme, which was designed to sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts to individuals seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs).

The bogus diplomas and transcripts were obtained from two private nursing schools that were once approved by the State of Florida to issue diplomas and transcripts to nursing students. The scheme allowed individuals to sit for the national nursing board exam and, after passing it, to obtain licenses and jobs in various states as RNs and LPN/VNs.

The investigation into the scheme was led by the FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami, with valuable assistance provided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General; and Florida Attorney General-Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Mid-Atlantic Field Office. Senior Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Clark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon M. Juenger prosecuted the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff handling asset forfeiture.

The case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting the integrity of the nursing profession and the need for vigilance in detecting and preventing such schemes. The conviction of Gail Russ and the other defendants involved in this case is a significant step forward in ensuring that those who attempt to undermine the nursing profession are held accountable.

Defendant Information:

• Defendant: Gail Russ
• Criminal Charges: Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• City and State: Lake Worth, Florida
• Exact Date: April 2, 2024
• Sentence: 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and the forfeiture of $861,672

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/three-defendants-sentenced-fraudulent-nursing-diploma-scheme