Federal authorities have intensified their crackdown on a sweeping fraud scheme that funneled unqualified nurses into the U.S. healthcare system. On September 15, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Florida announced charges against 12 more individuals in the second phase of “Operation Nightingale.”
The investigation, led by federal prosecutors, targets owners, administrators, and employees of shuttered Florida nursing schools accused of selling thousands of fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts between 2019 and 2022.
This latest wave of charges follows the first phase of the operation in 2023, which resulted in 25 arrests and several convictions tied to similar credential-forging schemes. Prosecutors allege that the defendants created an illegal “shortcut” to nursing licensure by bypassing education and clinical training requirements—placing patients nationwide at serious risk.
Focus on Florida Institutions
Phase two of Operation Nightingale centers on eight Florida-based institutions, all of which are now closed:
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Carleen Home Health School (Pembroke Pines)
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Sigma Institute of Health Careers (Fort Lauderdale)
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Techni-Pro Institute (Boca Raton)
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Agape Academy of Sciences (Delray Beach)
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Azure College (multiple campuses)
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Med-Life Institute (Lauderdale Lakes, Kissimmee, Naples)
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Ideal Professional Institute (Miami)
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Academus University Corp.
According to investigators, the schools sold roughly 7,300 fake nursing diplomas—primarily for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credentials—charging students between $12,000 and $17,000 each.
The Defendants and Charges
The 12 defendants now face federal charges, most notably conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Among those charged:
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Carleen Noreus, 51, president of Carleen Home Health School, who also faces separate wire fraud and money laundering charges. Her trial is set for later this year.
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Herline Lochard, 46, of Orange County, sentenced to 13 months in prison for her role at the Center for Professional Training.
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Patrick Buchanan, 40, of Broward County, who pleaded guilty for managing Sigma Institute.
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Gilbert Hyppolite, 73, of Palm Beach County, owner of Techni-Pro Institute.
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Irene Matthews, 55, of Palm Beach County, associated with Agape Academy.
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Jose Napoleon, 40, of Palm Beach County, admissions director at Azure College.
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Lemuel Pierre, 56, of Broward County, founder of Med-Life Institute.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the scheme jeopardized patient care by flooding the healthcare workforce with unqualified practitioners. They also stressed that while fraudulent diplomas were sold, not all individuals who purchased them obtained licenses or secured nursing jobs.
Authorities say Operation Nightingale will continue as investigators pursue remaining suspects linked to the multi-million-dollar diploma mill network.
