This article reports on the guilty pleas made by five individuals in connection with a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme in the Southern District of Florida. The scheme involved the creation and distribution of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts, allowing aspiring nurses to obtain nursing credentials without completing the necessary courses and clinicals. The defendants admitted to soliciting and recruiting individuals seeking nursing credentials and profiting from the scam. The guilty pleas were made before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, and the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, along with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, announced these guilty pleas.
Guilty Pleas in Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme
Krystal Lopez and Damian Lopez (both of Palm Beach County, Fla.); Francois Legagneur (of Nassau County, N.Y.), Reynoso Seide (of Union County, N.J.); and Yelva Saint Preux (of Suffolk County, N.Y.) plead guilty to wire fraud conspiracy
Five defendants charged in the Southern District of Florida have pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with a scheme involving fraudulent nursing diplomas. The defendants, Krystal Lopez and Damian Lopez of Palm Beach County, Florida; Francois Legagneur of Nassau County, New York; Reynoso Seide of Union County, New Jersey; and Yelva Saint Preux of Suffolk County, New York, are among dozens of individuals allegedly involved in the scheme. The guilty pleas were made before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, and the defendants will be sentenced on July 27. Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Sentencing and potential penalties for the defendants
The sentencing for the defendants will take place on July 27 before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal. Wire fraud conspiracy is a serious offense, and each defendant could potentially face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. The judge will consider various factors, including the nature and extent of the fraud, the defendants’ level of involvement, and any previous criminal history, in determining the appropriate penalties.
Admissions made during guilty plea hearings
During the guilty plea hearings before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, the defendants, Krystal Lopez, Damian Lopez, Francois Legagneur, Reynoso Seide, and Yelva Saint Preux, admitted to soliciting and recruiting individuals seeking nursing credentials. They also acknowledged their involvement in the creation and distribution of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts through the Palm Beach School of Nursing. These documents falsely represented that the aspiring nursing candidates had completed the necessary courses and clinicals required for their nursing diplomas, when in reality they had not.
Involvement of Palm Beach School of Nursing in creating and distributing fraudulent diplomas and transcripts
The Palm Beach School of Nursing played a significant role in the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. Krystal Lopez, in her position as the Finance Director of the school, processed applications for individuals seeking fraudulent nursing school diplomas and transcripts. These documents were created and distributed to aspiring nurses who had not completed the required courses and clinicals. Each nursing candidate paid $15,000 to the school for these fraudulent documents, enabling them to obtain employment as registered, licensed practical, or vocational nurses.
Profits obtained by the defendants from the fraudulent scheme
The defendants admitted to profiting from the fraudulent scheme. By soliciting and recruiting aspiring nurses and working with the Palm Beach School of Nursing to create and distribute fraudulent diplomas and transcripts, they were able to obtain financial gains. The exact amount of profits obtained by the defendants has not been disclosed at this time.
Announcement by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, along with Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region, announced the guilty pleas in the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. The announcement emphasizes the commitment of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in fraudulent schemes that jeopardize the integrity of the nursing profession.
Investigation conducted by FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami
The FBI Miami Field Office and HHS-OIG Miami conducted an extensive investigation into the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. With valuable assistance from other law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Florida Attorney General-Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the investigation uncovered the extent of the fraudulent activities and the involvement of the defendants.
Assistance from other law enforcement agencies
The FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami received assistance from various law enforcement agencies during the investigation into the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Florida Attorney General-Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit all provided valuable support in uncovering the illegal activities and gathering evidence against the defendants.
Prosecution of the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark
The case against the defendants involved in the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark. As the lead prosecutor, Clark will present the evidence and arguments supporting the charges against the defendants. He will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure a strong case and seek appropriate penalties for the defendants.
Related criminal matter in the District of Maryland
There is a related criminal matter in the District of Maryland that is connected to the current case in the Southern District of Florida. The details of this related matter have not been provided, but it suggests a broader network or scheme involving fraudulent nursing diplomas in multiple jurisdictions. The coordination between different districts and law enforcement agencies highlights the collaborative efforts in combating fraud and protecting the integrity of the nursing profession.