7 Filipino nurses used fake transcripts in California BRN licensing

Seven Filipino nurses are facing up to three years in prison for using fake transcript of records in acquiring their RN licenses in California Board of Registered Nursing.

Juan Malaluan Tenorio, Jr. and Glyn Cordova Villegas of Kern County, James Quijano Leoncio of Orange County, Philip Tolentino Sarmiento, Laurence Viernes, German Zagada and Jude Dagza Leoncio of Los Angeles County applied for licenses to practice as Registered Nurses in California using false and forged nursing school transcripts from the Philippines.

All 7 were arrested as a result of a multi-agency probe initiated by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) that involved the Division of Investigation (DOI), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

An eighth individual Joanne Keeney, the suspected-ringleader, currently resides in the Philippines. There is a warrant for her arrest.

BRN licensing staff were instrumental in assisting with identifying the individuals involved and verifying they did not attend the nursing schools listed on applications for licensure.

“Protecting patient safety is the Board’s top priority,” said Louise Bailey, Executive Officer of the Board of Registered Nursing. “A nurse without the proper education could be dangerous to a patient.”

At the request of the Board of Registered Nursing, a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge ordered Juan Malaluan Tenorio, Jr., Glyn Cordova Villegas, Philip Tolentino Sarmiento, Laurence Viernes, German Zagada, Jude Dagza Leoncio, and James Quijano Leoncio not to practice as registered nurses.

California BRN filed and served accusations against them on May 16 and 22, 2014 seeking revocation of their RN licenses.

All seven people are expected to be sentenced June 27, 2014. [via Source]