GREENBELT, Md. — A Laurel man has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting to his role in a multi-state scheme that sold fraudulent nursing diplomas and helped unqualified individuals obtain licenses to work in the healthcare field.
Patrick Nwaokwu, 55, of Laurel, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to wire fraud, federal officials announced.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Nwaokwu conspired with others to sell fake nursing diplomas and educational transcripts, then assisted buyers in fraudulently obtaining professional nursing licenses required for employment.
Investigators said the scheme, which began in 2018, involved recruiting individuals in Maryland and elsewhere who were seeking to obtain nursing credentials. Nwaokwu and his co-conspirators sold falsified documents that claimed recipients had completed required coursework and clinical training.
Authorities said Nwaokwu operated through multiple entities, including a Virginia-based institution and the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Florida, both of which were no longer licensed. To avoid detection, the conspirators backdated documents to make it appear students had graduated before the schools lost accreditation.
Prosecutors said Nwaokwu charged approximately $17,000 for fraudulent registered nurse credentials and between $6,000 and $10,000 for licensed practical nurse documents. Buyers were instructed on how to complete licensing applications to conceal the fraud, including leaving graduation dates blank so they could be altered later.
Officials said the scheme resulted in more than $1.5 million in losses and allowed unqualified individuals to obtain nursing licenses from state agencies, including the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Federal authorities emphasized that the operation posed a serious risk to public safety, as it enabled individuals without proper training to work in healthcare settings.
Court records show Nwaokwu worked with multiple co-conspirators across several states. One co-defendant, Musa Bangura, 67, of Virginia, was previously sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme.
The case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
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