The investigation into the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme based in Florida, dubbed Operation Nightingale, continues to unfold. The Texas Board of Nursing has publicly released the names of 23 individuals who obtained fraudulent nursing degrees through the Florida nursing scheme.
Texas BON Releases Names, Files Charges
Formal charges have now been filed against the following individuals for obtaining fraudulent nursing credentials in the State of Texas in connection with the Florida scheme:
Abanda, Jacob Atambili, LVN #1054553
Abiodun, Yetunde Felicia, LVN #1043387
Addai, Agnes Fosuah, RN #941850
Adelakun, Abiodun Aveez, RN #1034998
Adelekan, Joseph Adewale, LVN #351002
Adeoye, Vivien Temitope, LVN #342620
Adewale, Modinat Abidemi, LVN#353512
Afolabi, Olufemi Toun, LVN#1009094
Afolabi, Omowunmi F, LVN #1016030
Agbo, Odumegwu Steve, RN #882398
Ajibade, Charlot Omotayo, LVN #351402
Akande, Olabisi Christiana, LVN #1055270
Akhigbe, Catherine, LVN #1049072
Akinrolabu, Folasade Margaret, LVN #1031788
Ako, Esiri Rachael, LVN# 1031788
Akpan, Rosemary Moses, #351969
Alimi, Bukola A., LVN# 1016636
Anaaba, Awingrug Musah, RN #1020740
Ani, Ndirika Justina, LVN#1046786
Anthony-Annor, Spendilove, RN #1021659
Aroh, Nchekwube C., LVN#1046089
Asanga, Albert Nshanui, LVN#1048817
Ayodeji, Sherifat Olubunmi, LVN#346176
According to the Texas Board of Nursing, the nurses are permitted to work while the formal charges are pending. However, they must show proof they met the educational requirements to become a nurse in order to retain their licenses. A quick search of the names above on Nursys does show these licenses are still active at the time of this writing.
About “Operation Nightingale”
On January 25, 2023, the Department of Justice charged 25 people involved in selling fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts to over 7600 individuals. This allowed those individuals to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Both registered nursing and practical nursing degrees and transcripts were sold to these individuals.
It is reported that at least 2800 of the more than 7,600 “fake nurses” passed the NCLEX and went on to obtain fraudulent credentials. According to a statement by Special Agent in Charge Omar Perez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), these were “willing but unqualified individuals…who so brazenly disregard the well-being of others in order to enrich themselves fraudulently.”
As the states continue to identify those who obtained the fake degrees, they are slowly releasing the names to the public and rescinding the fake licenses. Just recently, Washington released the names of 14 nurses involved in the fake nursing diploma scheme, and Delaware has annulled 26 nursing licenses in conjunction with the scheme.
>> Read: Why Nursing School Accreditation Matters
The list of fraudulent nurses will continue to be updated as new information is discovered through Operation Nightingale.
