Operation Nightingale and the Fraudulent Nursing School Investigation


On January 25, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigations ("FBI") publicly announced its enforcement actions against a large-scale fraudulent nursing diploma scheme operated by Florida-based nursing education programs.​ The Maryland Board of Nursing (the "Board") has assisted the FBI throughout its criminal investigation and has been a national leader in conducting board investigations into fraudulent nursing credentials. The Board has been diligently and expeditiously working to identify and investigate any Maryland licensees who attended a fraudulent nursing education program. The Board continues its active investigation into this serious matter and will take any actions necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Marylanders. Employers who identify licensees who attended a nursing education program named in the FBI announcement should submit the licensee’s name, license number and employing agency or organization to sara.tongue1@maryland.gov​. Thank you for your assistance with this serious matter.
The Maryland Board of Nursing continues to work as quickly as possible to gather information and evidence related to potentially fraudulent practice. As the Board collects evidence, it is taking action, consistent with its lawful authority, to protect the public from individuals suspected of working without the requisite education and training.

Unfortunately, the Board cannot provide you with information about the investigation of any particular licensee or an ongoing investigation. If you have any information about a person that you believe may evidence a violation of the Maryland Nurse Practice Act, please fill out a complaint form and submit it to the Board as soon as possible. You can access the electronic complaint form by clicking on the following link: https://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/complaint-procedures.aspx

Sign up for Nursys eNotify​ to receive automated license and discipline notifications of your enrolled RNs, LPN/VNs, and Advanced Practice nurses from participating boards of nursing.

​Please make sure to check the Board's website periodically for updated information and to access the Board's "Look-up a Licensee" database for information about individual licensees. When the Board takes disciplinary action against a licensee as a result of Operation Nightingale or the Board's investigation into fraudulent nursing schools, it will note any changes in licensure status on the licensee's "Look-up a Licensee" page. Final public orders issued by the Board as a result of these investigations will be posted on this Operation Nightingale page. Thank you again for your inquiry, and please feel free to reach out with any additional questions or concerns."

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Statement on Operation Nightingale

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Justice Department for their important work on Operation Nightingale. The investigation focused on nursing education programs that were allegedly involved in the sale of false and fraudulent nursing education credentials.

With public safety and welfare as a top concern, NCSBN and our member nursing regulatory bodies partnered with federal and state authorities, helping to identify and monitor individuals who allegedly provided these illegitimate transcripts and credentials that could potentially undermine safe patient care.

Nursing regulatory bodies in affected states have been investigating individual cases and are taking appropriate action, in accordance with their state laws and due process, that includes loss of license.

As the world leader in nursing regulatory knowledge, NCSBN is dedicated to protecting the public and will continue to support our member nursing regulatory bodies as they thoroughly investigate each case, taking the necessary actions to ensure public safety and root out the fraud involved in this case. NCSBN is committed to helping our members identify any additional safeguards and solutions that are needed.

This situation speaks to the importance of nursing regulation and the collective duty to protect the public. NCSBN will continue working with all appropriate nursing regulatory bodies, nursing education program providers, accreditation bodies and authorities to detect, investigate and resolve these matters today and into the future.

Final Public Board Orders

Below is the list of the final public orders issued by the Board as a result of Operation Nightingale and the Board's investigation into the fraudulent nursing schools. The list will be updated as new orders are issued.

​​​​NAME ​Lic/Cert. # ​SANCTION ​DATE
​Aborungong, Gladys
​R253349
​Order for Summary Suspension
​03/29/2023
​Aborungong, Gladys
​R253349
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
​Aborungong, Gladys
​R253349
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​07/26/2023
Adeshina, Nimota
R226760
Order for Summary Suspension
03/06/2023
​Adeshina, Nimota
​R226760
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​ Adeshina, Nimota
​R226760
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
Afegenui, Allan
LP53803
Voluntary Surrender
04/27/2022
Afegenui, Allan
RN Applicant
Order of Denial of Licensure
04/27/2022
Afegenui, Allan
LP53803, MSPTP
Order for Summary Suspension
03/08/2022
Agyemang, Victoria
R255763
Order for Summary Suspension
03/06/2023
​Agyemang, Victoria
​R255763
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
Akhigbe, Imafidon
A00167002
Consent Order of Reprimand
10/26/2022
Akhigbe, Imafidon
LPN Applicant
Consent Order of Denial
08/24/2022
Akhigbe, Imafidon
MT0130906
Consent Order of Reprimand
08/24/2022
Akhigbe, Imafidon
MSPTP-VA-LPN
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
08/24/2022
Akhigbe, Imafidon
MSPTP-VA-LPN
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
06/01/2022
Akhigbe, Imafidon
​MSPTP-VA-LPN
Order for Summary Suspension
05/12/2022
Angeh, Sheila
LPN Applicant
Consent Order of Denial
06/01/2022
Angeh, Sheila
R248149, MT0091308
Consent Order of Reprimand and Monetary Penalty
06/01/2022
Angeh, Sheila
R248149
Order Lifting & Terminating Summary Suspension
02/23/2022
Angeh, Sheila
​R248149
Order for Summary Suspension
01/31/2022
Anyaegbu, Glory
R233953
Order for Summary Suspension
03/06/2023
​Anyaegbu, Glory
​R233953
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Anyaegbu, Glory
​LPN Applicant
​Consent Order of Denial of LPN Application
​08/22/2023
​Anyaegbu, Glory
​R233953
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​08/22/2023
Balogun, Modupeola
​R242553
Order for Summary Suspension
03/06/2023
​Balogun, Modupeola
​R242553
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
​Balogun, Modupeola
​R242553
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
Bautista, Cariddad Girlie
​R246906
Order for Summary Suspension
03/09/2023
​Bautista, Cariddad Girlie
​R246906
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
Boahen, Ebenezer
​R225659
Order for Summary Suspension
03/07/2023
​Boahen, Ebenezer
​R225659
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Butler, Lum Ernestine
​LP53850
Order for Summary Suspension
​07/31/2023
​​Butler, Lum Ernestine
​LP53850
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​08/22/2023
​Chikwe, Christogonus
​LP50997, MSPTP
Voluntary Surrender
03/23/2022
Chikwe, Christogonus
​LP50997, MSPTP
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
12/16/2021
Chikwe, Christogonus
​LP50997, MSPTP
Order for Summary Suspension
11/30/2021​
Coleman, Fasilat
​R240268
Order for Summary Suspension
03/09/2023
​Coleman, Fasilat
​R240268
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Coleman, Fasilat
​R240268
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​08/22/2023
​Comfort, Sema
​R234916
Order for Summary Suspension
​05/04/2022
​Comfort, Sema
​R234916
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​05/24/2023
​Coronejo, Lizabeth
​R238312
​Order for Summary Suspension
​03/28/2023
​Coronejo, Lizabeth
​R238312
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
Daffia, Saffie
​A00064467, MT0067944
Consent Order of Reprimand
03/06/2023
Daffia, Saffie
​LP54555
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
06/21/2022
Daffia, Saffie
​LP54555
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
03/23/2022
Daffia, Saffie
​LP54555
Order for Summary Suspension
03/03/2022
Deutchoua, Desiree
R242756
Order for Summary Suspension
03/06/2023
​Deutchoua, Desiree
​R242756
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Deutchoua, Desiree
​R242756
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
​Egbe, Anna
​LP53754
Order for Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
Epoge, Floradine
​LP54491
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
01/25/2023
Epoge, Floradine
LP54491
Order for Summary Suspension
11/29/2022
​Ezuezuemeh, Henry
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
Order for Summary Suspension
​05/10/2023
​Ezuezuemeh, Henry​
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​05/24/2023
Fayemi, Oladapo Olabimpe
​R245540
Order for Summary Suspension
03/08/2023
​Fayemi, Oladapo Olabimpe
​R245540
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/26/2023
​Fayemi, Oladapo Olabimpe
​R245540
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
​Fombat, Maria Dasdores
​LP54846
​Permanent Revocation of LPN & Revocation of MSLP (Default)
​03/06/2023
​Fombat, Maria Dasdores

​CNA Applicant
Order of Denial (Default)
​03/03/2023
Fombat, Maria D.
​LP54846, MSPTP
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
06/22/2022
Fombat, Maria D.
​LP54846, MSPTP
Order for Summary Suspension
05/05/2022
Fraizer, Janet Belola
​R241467
Order for Summary Suspension
03/08/2023
​Frazier, Janet Belola
​R241467
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/26/2023
​Frazier, Janet Belola
​R241467
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​07/26/2023
​Gavi, Chipo
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
​Order for Summary Suspension
​07/31/2023
​Gavi, Chipo
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​08/22/2023
​Gbaka, Philip N.

​LP50202
​Permanent Revocation of LPN
​03/03/2023
Gbaka, Philip
LP50202
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
06/21/2022
Gbaka, Philip
LP50202
Order for Summary Suspension
05/25/2022
​Hankerson, Kelly
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
Order for Summary Suspension
​05/04/2022
​Hankerson, Kelly
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​05/24/2023
Ikoli, Ifeyinwa Patricia
R240100
Order for Summary Suspension
03/08/2023
​Ikoli, Ifeyinwa Patricia
​R240100
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Ikoli, Ifeyinwa Patricia
​R240100
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
Irungu, Pauline
​LP52564
Order of Permanent Revocation
11/16/2022
Irungu, Pauline
A00099755, MT0067167
Order of Revocation (Default)
09/15/2022
Irungu, Pauline
​RN Applicant
Order of Denial (Default)
09/15/2022
Irungu, Pauline
​LP52564
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
04/27/2022
Irungu, Pauline
​​LP52564
Order for Summary Suspension
03/29/2022
Ishola, Olayemi
LP54996
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
08/24/2022
Ishola, Olayemi
LP54996
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
03/23/2022
Ishola, Olayemi
LP54996
Order for Summary Suspension
03/03/2022
​Johnson, Stephanie
​R237353
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​03/22/2023
​Kamara, Andrea Mabinty
​LP52354
Order for Summary Suspension
​08/01/2023
​Kamara, Andrea Mabinty
​LP52354
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​08/22/2023
King, Eunice
R227347
Order for Summary Suspension
03/07/2023
​King, Eunice
​R227347
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​King, Eunice
​R227347
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​05/24/2023
​Labiatu, Celine
​R257266
​Order for Summary Suspension
​03/29/2023
​Labiatu, Celine
​R257266
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
Mansaray, Azizatu
R234746
Order for Summary Suspension
03/09/2023
​Mansaray, Azizatu

​R234746
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Mansaray, Azizatu
​R234746
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
​Massango, Enome
​LP53767
​Order of Permanent Revocation (Default)
​03/21/2023
Mayo, Leslie
LP51568
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
07/27/2022
Mayo, Leslie
LP51568
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
02/23/2022
Mayo, Leslie
LP51568
Order for Summary Suspension
01/31/2022
Moore-Authur, Constance
R233347
Order for Summary Suspension
03/09/2023
​Moore-Authur, Constance
​R233347
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Moore-Authur, Constance
​R233547
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
Ngamalue, Lizette
MSPTP-IA-LPN
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
07/27/2022
Ngamalue, Lizette
MSPTP-IA-LPN
Order for Summary Suspension
05/11/2022
Ngati, Emeldine
LP53429
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
06/21/2022
Ngati, Emeldine
LP53429
Order for Summary Suspension
05/05/2022
Nwana, Vivian
R255684
Order for Summary Suspension
03/06/2023
​Nwana, Vivian
​R255684
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
​Nwana, Vivian
​R255684
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​07/26/2023
Nwokolo, Kingsley
​LP53772
Order for Summary Suspension
03/08/2023
​Nwokolo, Kingsley
​LP53772
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Nwosu, Nnamdi
​R239531
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​03/22/2023
Ojo, Titilayo
R232420
Order for Summary Suspension
03/07/2023
​Ojo, Titilayo
​R232420
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/26/2023
​Ojo, Titilayo
​R232420
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​06/28/2023
​Ossai, Anny
​R242913
Order for Summary Suspension
​03/29/2023
​Ossai, Anny
​R242910
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023
Pierre, Islande
A00103413, MT0062414
Voluntary Surrender
06/01/2022
Pierre, Islande
LP52899
Permanent Voluntary Surrender
06/01/2022
Pierre, Islande
RN Applicant
Consent Order of Denial
06/01/2022
Pierre, Islande
LP52899
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
02/23/2022
Pierre, Islande
LP52899
Order for Summary Suspension
01/31/2022
Sackey, Winifred
LP54002
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
06/21/2022
Sackey, Winifred
LP54002
Order for Summary Suspension
06/08/2022
​Sackey, Winifred
​LP54002
Order Lifting Summary Suspension/Permanent Revocation
​06/15/2023
Sulaimon, Habibat
R235430
Order for Summary Suspension
03/08/2023
​Sulaimon, Habibat
​R235430
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​03/22/2023
​Tervil, Marie
​R254836
Order for Summary Suspension
​03/28/2023​
​Tervil, Marie
​R254836
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​04/25/2023​
​Tervil, Marie
​R254836
​Permanent Voluntary Surrender
​08/22/2023
​Uchendu, Augusta
​R223164
​Order for Summary Suspension
​07/07/2023
​Uchendu, Augusta
​R223164
​Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​07/26/2023
​Uduma, Nene
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
Order for Summary Suspension
​07/31/2023
​Uduma, Nene
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​08/22/2023
​Ukachu, Promise
​LP42154, MSPTP (VA-RN)
Voluntary Surrender
​07/26/2023
​Williams, Jacqueta
​LP51709
​Order for Summary Suspension
​07/12/2023
​Williams, Jacqueta
​LP51709
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​7/25/2023
​Wupyong, Blandine
​MSPTP (FL-RN)
​Order for Summary Suspension
​07/07/2023
​Wupyong, Blandine
​MSPTP (FL-RN)​
Order Continuing Summary Suspension
​07/25/2023

Last updated: October 23, 2023
​ ​

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