Nursing Fraud
Have you been charged with fraudulently offering or obtaining nursing license credentials?
Norman Spencer Law Group has been successfully representing Nursing Programs and Nursing License applicants as well as licensed nurses in all matters involving fraud in connection with obtaining nursing license credentials.
What Are the Requirements to Become an RN or LPN?
According to the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCSBN), candidates for a Registered Nurse license or a License Practical nurse license must submit verification of graduation from an approved pre-licensure nursing program and verification of successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination, which is also known as the board exam.
Different states have enacted their own statutes regulating nursing licensing requirements. The local state Nursing Boards establish and enforce these rules and regulations. Some of the regulations require that any applicant for a nursing license has to complete the requirements for graduation from an approved program or its equivalent. That includes submitting an official transcript, which identifies all courses completed that met graduation requirements. They also require a minimal percentage of the program to be clinical training.
How is Fraud Committed?
Over the years, our lawyers have represented numerous programs and individuals accused of providing or submitting fake nursing license credentials. On a very basic level, the program commits fraud when or solicits and recruits students who want to obtain nursing licenses in order to work in the healthcare industry, and to do that, they create false or fraudulent diplomas and transcripts.
Applicants commit fraud when they use fraudulent and false documents to obtain professional licensure and apply for jobs.
These activities fall under the jurisdiction of federal law and are often charged as criminal conspiracies.
If, in the process of committing this fraud, there is a money exchange, such as electronic money transfers, or any electronic document communication that takes place, federal prosecutors may also charge wire fraud and mail fraud.
Criminal Consequences For Nursing License Fraud
Individuals who are charged with fraud in connection with providing and obtaining nursing licenses can face a variety of consequences. The most meaningful consequence, of course, if the potential for prison time, especially if the case is charged in federal courts. Besides that, the defendants are looking for lifelong collateral consequences that come with a criminal conviction.
If you have been investigated or charged with federal nursing license fraud, contact Norman Spencer Law Group today to learn about your options.
Nursing Board’s Actions Against Applicants Using Fake Credentials
For many years, nursing boards in all major states have been investigating and prosecuting individuals who they believed have obtained fraudulent nursing license credentials. We have represented an untold number of such applicants.
A nurse license applicant caught cheating during the application process will be denied the license and will have to complete the nursing education and reapply again. Even then, the applicant will not be granted the license easily. The Board will definitely require a character and fitness hearing before making the final determination.
If a person has already obtained the nursing license, they could be stripped of it if the Board later discovers that fraud was committed.
If you have been dealing with such licensing issues, contact our office immediately. Our lawyers have helped numerous nursing license applicants and licensed nurses at all stages of Board investigations and proceedings.
What To Do When You Are Under Investigation?
The most important thing you can do if you are investigated for licensure fraud is not to speak with the investigators before you obtain legal counsel. If you are the target of a criminal investigation, any information you provide to them will be used against you. If you are dealing with an administrative investigation by the Board, you should also not discuss anything with the investigators before discussing your case with a competent attorney.
If you have been arrested and charged in federal courts with nursing license fraud, call our office today!
How to Choose the Best Nursing License Attorney?
When dealing with nursing license issues, whether administrative or criminal, you need an attorney who understands the two very different fields. Most attorneys are not skilled in licensing matters, and most criminal lawyers are not skilled in federal criminal defense, as it is completely different from state court criminal practice.
At Norman Spencer, we provide our clients with the best of two worlds. We have represented hundreds of nursing applicants, nurses, and nursing programs in various Board administrative actions. We also have many years of experience of handling federal criminal cases related to fraud and other white collar and healthcare fraud offences all around the United States.
If you are facing a federal criminal investigation in connection with a nursing credentialing fraud anywhere in the country, or a Nursing Board investigation in New York or New Jersey, please call today at (212) 577-6677 to set up an immediate consultation.
