Federal prosecutors say an operator of two South Florida for‑profit nursing schools produced 2,956 fraudulent diplomas; about 2,274 recipients later passed national board exams and obtained nursing licenses. Carleen Noreus pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges after a two‑week trial tied to Operation Nightingale. Authorities have closed both schools; Noreus faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. Officials urge employers and the public to verify licenses through Nursys QuickConfirm.
Nearly 3,000 Fake Nursing Diplomas Sold — 2,274 Later Became Licensed Nurses, Prosecutors Say
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Federal prosecutors say an operator of two for‑profit nursing schools in South Florida provided 2,956 fraudulent nursing diplomas, and roughly 2,274 people who obtained those credentials later passed national board exams and became licensed nurses.
Carleen Noreus, 52, of Plantation, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida said. The plea followed a two‑week trial in Fort Lauderdale connected to Operation Nightingale, the federal investigation targeting the sale of bogus nursing diplomas and transcripts.
How the Scheme Worked
Prosecutors say Noreus, president of Carleen Home Health School, Inc. in Plantation and vice president of Carleen Home Health School II, Inc. in West Palm Beach, conspired with others to produce and sell falsified diplomas and academic transcripts. The documents falsely represented that purchasers had completed required coursework and clinical training for Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
Those falsified records were used to qualify applicants to sit for national nursing board exams. After passing those exams, about 2,274 people obtained nursing licenses and jobs in Florida and other states, according to evidence admitted at trial. The Department of Justice said the schools provided 2,956 fraudulent diplomas between April 17, 2018, and Oct. 8, 2025.
Scope, Consequences and Official Response
The DOJ emphasized that its finding does not assert every individual who received a fraudulent credential harmed patients. The confirmed and serious fact is that thousands of credentials were sold as if required training had been completed when prosecutors say it had not. State authorities have closed both Carleen schools in response to the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said the scheme 'undermined the integrity of the nursing profession and the health care system' and that nursing licenses must be earned through education, training and demonstrated competence, not purchased through fraud.
Investigation and Penalties
Phase II of Operation Nightingale produced fraud-related charges against 13 defendants, including Noreus. Phase I, concluded in 2023, resulted in charges or convictions for 30 defendants. Noreus faces up to 20 years in prison on each count; a federal judge will set her sentence after considering the Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The investigation was led by FBI Miami and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Senior Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Clark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon M. Juenger presented the case at trial for the government; Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture matters.
What Patients and Employers Can Do
Because diplomas, résumés or school websites can be falsified, patients, families and employers should verify licenses directly. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers the Nursys QuickConfirm service, which lets the public check a nurse's license and discipline status for free through participating boards. Employers and recruiters can request Nursys license lookup reports when verifying credentials.
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