A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale has found Gail Russ of the Palm Beach School of Nursing, Cassandre Jean of Success Nursing Review, and Vilaire Duroseau of the Center for Advance Training and Studies guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They were involved in a scheme selling fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts from once-approved Florida nursing schools.

The scheme, known as Operation Nightingale, involved the selling of fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from two private nursing schools that at one time were approved by the State of Florida to issue diplomas and transcripts to individuals seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs). Over 7,600 fake nursing diplomas were distributed, leading to charges and convictions of 27 individuals in 2023.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), along with other agencies, investigated the cases. Click here to read the full announcement.