Forged document scheme uncovered by California regulators

In December, the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians filed charges against 8 individuals, all current vocational nurses or psychiatric technicians originating from the Philippines, for allegedly using fake transcripts to become Registered Nurses (RNs). Three other cases are pending.

The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the California Department of Consumer Affairs teamed up to pursue an investigation, following an earlier series of prosecutions in related cases. The LA County and Orange County District Attorney’s Offices have filed criminal charges against the 11 licensees alleging they used either false transcripts or forged their own school transcripts in order to gain licensure as a RN in California and New Mexico.

Joanne Keeney, a resident of the Philippines, is suspected of not only supplying falsified transcripts to the individuals in this current case, but of having a history of supplying falsified transcripts. Keeney is accused of providing false transcripts to seven RNs who already plead guilty to forgery earlier in the year.

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