Man Who Sold Fake Nursing Degrees in MD, NY and FL Sentenced To 21 Months Prison
A federal judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, has sentenced Ejike Asiegbunam to prison for his involvement in a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme in Maryland. This case is part of a broader scheme in which Asiegbunam participated in multiple states including the large-scale nursing degree fraud operation at Palm Beach Beach School in Florida. These incidents highlight the persistent challenges faced by regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the integrity of nursing education and licensure processes.
About The Wide Spead Nursing Degree Fraud
Between the dates of approximately January 2018 and June 2021 Asiegbunam and his co-conspirators targeted individuals in Maryland and beyond who sought nursing degrees, selling fraudulent documents, including both Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) degrees from a fake institution called Nursing School 2.
- Posing as the owner, Asiegbunam charged buyers between $15,000 and $22,000 for these false diplomas.
- He also offered to complete online prerequisite courses on behalf of students for an additional $5,000.
- Over the course of the scheme, he amassed at least $1.39 million from selling fake documents.
In a separate but related conspiracy, between February and December of 2018, Asiegbunam worked with Johanah Napoleon of Florida to sell fraudulent nursing degrees from the Palm Beach School of Nursing to individuals in Maryland and New York.
- Asiegbunam would send student grades to the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Florida, where the institution issued transcripts despite the individuals never attending classes.
- For each RN degree sold, the students paid the Palm Beach School of Nursing directly, and the school paid Asiegbunam 40% of the tuition as a recruiting fee.
- Through this operation, Asiegbunam earned approximately $272,400.
Sentencing
On September 16, 2024, U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman handed down a 21-month federal prison sentence to Ejike Asiegbunam, for his role in the Maryland scheme.
- The sentence also includes two years of supervised release following the prison term.
- In addition to the incarceration, Judge Boardman ordered Asiegbunam to forfeit $1,662,732, which represents the personal profits he gained from the fraudulent scheme. This forfeiture underscores the severity of the financial consequences for those engaged in such illegal activities.
Impact on Patient Safety and Healthcare Integrity
The actions of Asiegbunam and his associates pose a significant threat to patient safety and the overall integrity of the healthcare system. By facilitating the fraudulent obtainment of nursing licenses, this scheme potentially allowed unqualified individuals to secure employment in healthcare settings - leading to inadequate patient care, increased medical errors, and compromised patient outcomes.
Moreover, this case undermines the hard work and dedication of legitimate nursing students and professionals who invest considerable time, effort, and resources into their education and training. It also erodes public trust in the nursing profession and the institutions responsible for educating and licensing healthcare providers.
Legal Proceedings and Law Enforcement Collaboration
The successful prosecution of this case was the result of collaborative efforts between multiple law enforcement agencies. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland announced the sentencing, highlighting the commitment of federal authorities to combating healthcare fraud. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies including,
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Baltimore Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno.
- The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon.
This interagency cooperation demonstrates the seriousness with which federal authorities view crimes that compromise the integrity of healthcare education and licensing. It also serves as a warning to others who might consider engaging in similar fraudulent activities.
The sentencing of Ejike Asiegbunam marks a significant victory in the fight against healthcare fraud, particularly in the realm of nursing education and licensure. While this case represents a positive step towards maintaining the integrity of the nursing profession, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies.
