Owner of Two South Florida Nursing Schools Pleads Guilty in Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme

MIAMI - Following a two-week trial in Fort Lauderdale, a South Florida nursing school owner and operator pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme that sold fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts to individuals seeking nursing licenses and employment throughout the U.S.

Carleen Noreus, 52, of Plantation, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to money laundering.

"Nursing licenses must be earned through education, training, and demonstrated competence, not purchased through fraud," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "By selling thousands of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts, the defendant undermined the integrity of the nursing profession and our healthcare system. The Southern District of Florida remains committed to holding accountable those who profit by corrupting professional licensing processes and placing the public at risk."

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Noreus served as president of Carleen Home Health School, Inc. in Plantation and vice president of Carleen Home Health School II, Inc. in West Palm Beach.

Noreus conspired with others to sell fraudulent nursing diplomas and educational transcripts to individuals who had not completed the required coursework or clinical training to earn Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN), or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) credentials.

The fraudulent diplomas and transcripts falsely represented that purchasers had successfully completed the academic and clinical requirements of the schools when, in reality, they had not. These documents enabled purchasers to sit for the national nursing board examinations and, after passing those examinations, obtain nursing licenses and employment in the healthcare field.

Evidence admitted at trial established that between April 17, 2018, and Oct. 8, 2025, Noreus was responsible for providing 2,956 fraudulent nursing diplomas through the schools. State authorities have since terminated both schools as a result of the investigation.

Of the individuals who obtained fraudulent credentials from the school, approximately 2,274 passed nursing board examinations, allowing them to obtain nursing licenses and work as nurses in Florida and across the country.

Noreus faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of the second phase of Operation Nightingale, a nationwide effort targeting fraudulent nursing diploma schemes operated by for-profit nursing schools in South Florida. The investigation uncovered an illegal shortcut to professional licensure and employment that resulted in fraud-related charges against 13 defendants, including Noreus, for their roles in selling fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts.

In Phase I of Operation Nightingale, 30 defendants were charged and convicted in 2023 through guilty pleas or trial verdicts.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office, made the announcement.

FBI Miami and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

Senior Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Clark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon M. Juenger presented the case at trial on behalf of the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case number 25-cr-60039.

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