Twenty-six nurses were informed that their nursing license was annulled as part of a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme uncovered by the Department of Justice, ABC channel 6 news has reported.
“All of us feel this is egregious,” Dr. Pamela Zickafoose, the Executive Director of Delaware’s Board of Nursing told U.S. media.
The Justice Department on Wednesday uncovered details of what is now dubbed ‘Operation Nightingale’, in honor of Florence Nightingale.
The operation involving the selling of more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas and certificates worth about $114million at the price of $15,ooo for each.
Twenty-five people including Stanton Witherspoon, a Liberian media mogul and Alfred Sellu of Burlington County, New Jersey were being indicted for the alleged dubious act.
Stanton is the owner of three radio stations; Spoon FM 107.5, Super FM 95.5 and Fabric FM 101.1 as well as super TV channel 10 all base in Monrovia.
“When we talk about a nurse’s education, and credentials, shortcut is not a word we want to use,” Markenzy Lapointe, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida was quoted as saying.
Mr. Witherspoon 47, in his social media post Thursday on his online TV, Spoon said he couldn’t go into details about the saga but called on his supporters to pray for him as he goes through “challenge” at this time.
‘Not speaking to the media’
ABC channel 6 went to Witherspoon’s home, but he wasn’t available to talk and saying he will only speak through his lawyer when contacted via phone.
According to report, the FBI is working with state nursing boards across the United states to identify unqualified nurses as more than 20 people have already been arrested.
If found guilty those involved face up to 20 years imprisonment.
