Twenty-five charged over phoney nursing documents

Federal authorities in Florida have charged 25 people with participating in a wire fraud scheme that created an illegal shortcut for aspiring nurses to get licensed and find employment. Recently unsealed federal grand jury indictments allege the defendants took part in a scam that sold more than 7600 fraudulent nursing degree diplomas from three Florida-based nursing schools, federal officials said during a news conference in Miami. Prosecutors said the scheme also involved transcripts from the nursing schools for people seeking licences and jobs as registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses. The defendants each face up to 20 years in prison.