A central Iowa man worked as a state-licensed nurse for four years after purchasing a fraudulent nursing degree from an alleged diploma mill, according to state regulators.
In January 2018, Enome Massango of West Des Moines filed an application with the Iowa Board of Nursing, seeking a license as an LPN, or licensed practical nurse. At the time, he re.......
A central IowA particular person labored as a state-licensed nurse for 4 yrs after buying for a fraudulent nursing diploma from an alleged diploma mill, Based mostly on state regulators.
In January 2018, Enome Massango of West Des Moines filed an software with the Iowa Board of Nursing, looking for a license as an LPN, or licensed sensible nurse. On the time, he reported having attended a 17-month sensible nursing education program at the Nationwide School of Nursing and Allied Well being in Virginia. The board accredited his software and issued him an LPN license in April 2018.
In June 2020, Massango filed one other software with the board, this time looking for a registered nurse’s license. In accordance to state data, he reported that he had graduated from Florida’s Siena School of Well being in June 2019. He submitted A duplicate of his diploma and a transcript displaying attendance at The varsity over a interval of 15 months.
Precisely one yr later, after Massango effectively accomplished the Nationwide Council Licensure Examination in Iowa, the board issued Massango an RN license.
Six weeks later, a national group of state nursing boards notified the Iowa board of an FBI investigation into nursing-Education schemes that have been suspected of promoteing pretend diplomas and transcripts, typically for $6,000 to $18,000. The suspects Inside the case included the Nationwide School of Nursing and Allied Well being and Siena School of Well being.
By The objective the Iowa board was notified, the states of Virginia and Florida had prolonged since ordered The two institutions to cease operations.
An Iowa Board of Nursing investigator contacted Massango, who reportedly said he had paid $11,000 to the Nationwide School of Nursing and Allied Well being. He initially declareed to have accomplished his coursework at The varsity in 2017 however Might not Clarify why his transcripts confirmed a completion date of 2013, which predated The varsity’s pressured closure.
In accordance to the board, Massango furtherly reported paying Siena School $16,000 for his registered-nurse education.
After further dialogue with the board investigator, Massango allegedly admitted he had paid A particular person named Musa Bangura for the transcripts and diplomas as a “brief reduce” to ending his education.
Schooling was a one-day ‘consider course’
At an April listening to earlier than the Iowa Board of Nursing, Massango reportedly said he had initially sought a nursing diploma from Indian Hills Group School in Ottumwa earlier than being “kicked out” of This method for failing the course on psychological health.
In accordance to the board, he furtherly acknowledged that his instructional program as a licensed sensible nurse consisted of a single-day “consider course.” As for the RN program at Siena School, he allegedly acknowledged there was no coursework Associated to This method, including that he “principally Needed To consider Alone.”
Board data level out Massango Needed to take the LPN examination twice, and the RN examination 4 occasions, earlier than passing the checks. On the listening to, Massango reportedly said he was presently working as a “touring nurse” and was furtherly employed by the Colorado Mental Well being Institute.
After the listening to, the board concluded Massango had engaged in fraud when he knowingly purchased fraudulent paperwork So as to qualify for licensure in Iowa. Massango, the board said, “acquired little to no classroom instruction and Did not bear any medical teaching.”
The board recently revoked Massango’s LPN and RN licenses.
Whereas licensed in Iowa, Massango labored at Valley View Village, an assisted dwelling center and nursing house located in Des Moines. Federal tax data level out he labored there A imply of 64 hours per week in 2019, amassing Greater than $114,000 in pay as an LPN.
In accordance to federal courtroom data, the U.S. Division of Justice has felonyly charged Bangura, Patrick Nwaokwu and Johanah Napoleon with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and conspiracy to make false statements Referring to health care issues.
In courtroom filings, prosereduceors declare the Nationwide School of Nursing and Allied Well being functiond from 2008 by way of 2013 as a nursing school, at which level Nwaokwu and Bangura continued to illegitimately function the enterprise as A spot the place people could go To buy pretend transcripts and certifications that have been backdated to 2013.
The two have been furtherly accused of partnering with Napoleon, in Florida, to promote diplomas by way of Siena School after That faculty was shut down.
The felony case Continues to be pending, and no trial date has been set.
