Another family member of the prominent businessman Johnson Napoléon, once again under scrutiny from U.S. law enforcement for fraud.
Specifically, José Napoleon, brother of Johnson Napoléon and director of admissions at Azure College, has been formally indicted for his alleged involvement in a large-scale scheme to sell fraudulent nursing diplomas.
Eleven additional individuals from other institutions have also been implicated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The DOJ confirmed the charges on Monday in an official release, noting that this second phase of the case aims to dismantle a system that generated nearly 7,300 fake diplomas.
According to the indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, José Napoleon, 40, a resident of Palm Beach County, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“Napoleon was the director of admissions for Azure College, Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale. The institution offered Practical Nursing, Associate of Science in Nursing, and Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) programs,” the Department of Justice release states.
If convicted, Napoleon faces up to 20 years in prison.
Johanah Napoleon, the sister of Johnson Napoléon, was previously sentenced in July 2023 to 21 months’ imprisonment in a related matter.
It should be noted, however, that Johnson Napoléon, the founder of Azure College, was not mentioned in the Department of Justice statement.
A systematic fraud network
Federal prosecutors describe a well-organized scheme: several Florida private schools, formerly authorized to confer nursing diplomas, allegedly sold falsified transcripts and diplomas to hundreds of candidates.
These documents provided direct access to the national nursing licensure examination, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
“Purchasers of these falsified documents used these diplomas to present themselves for the NCLEX. Upon passing, they became eligible for a professional license in various states, thereafter obtained employment as nurses, and received salaries and benefits based on fraudulent qualifications,” the DOJ release underscores.
This mechanism directly undermined the mission of public-health regulatory bodies. The Department notes that the granting of diplomas and licenses is intended primarily to “protect the public from the risks associated with nursing care provided by unqualified individuals,” the DOJ release added.
Institutions implicated and prior dispositions
This new wave of indictments follows an earlier series of arrests in 2023. “In Phase I of Operation Nightingale, 30 defendants, including several of Haitian origin, were indicted and/or convicted through plea agreements or at trial,” the DOJ recalls.
Several schools are identified in Phase II:
Azure College (Fort Lauderdale), where José Napoleon was employed.
Techni-Pro Institute LLC, led by Gilbert Hyppolite, 73, of Palm Beach County.
Agape Academy of Sciences LLC, managed by Irene Matthews, 55.
Med-Life Institute, founded by Lemuel Pierre, 56, with locations in Lauderdale Lakes, Kissimmee, and Naples.
Carleen Home Health School, directed by Carleen Noreus, 51, indicted for fraud and money laundering.
Ideal Professional Institute, administered by Joel Lubin, 51.
In addition, Herline Lochard, 46, has already pleaded guilty and, on July 31, was sentenced to 13 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Investigators note that the fraud’s repercussions extended far beyond Florida.
By virtue of the Nurse Licensure Compact, an agreement adopted by 43 states, individuals who obtained licenses through fraudulent means were able to practice in multiple jurisdictions without retesting.
“These fraudulent documents were used to obtain licenses in various states, including California, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Employers, deceived by these falsified qualifications, subsequently hired these individuals and paid them salaries and benefits,” the statement specifies.
Practices contrary to training requirements
To obtain a nursing license in the United States, federal and state rules require completion of an accredited educational program that includes at least 50% hands-on clinical training.
In Florida, regulation is stringent: “The Board of Nursing requires that all candidates have completed an approved program and provided official transcripts before sitting for the NCLEX,” the DOJ notes. The indicted individuals allegedly circumvented these obligations by issuing diplomas attesting to coursework and clinical rotations that had never been completed.
Among the twelve defendants announced Monday:
Carleen Noreus (Broward County): indicted for wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. Trial is set to begin December 1 in Fort Lauderdale.
Patrick Buchanan (Broward County): owner of Sigma Institute of Health Careers; he has pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on November 19.
Gilbert Hyppolite (Palm Beach County): owner of Techni-Pro Institute; indicted for wire fraud.
Irene Matthews (Palm Beach County): manager of Agape Academy of Sciences; indicted for fraud.
Lemuel Pierre (Broward County): founder of Med-Life Institute; indicted.
Victor Escalante Zerpa (Miami-Dade County): founder of Academus University Corp.; indicted.
Cleophat Tanis (Collier County): co-owner of Med-Life Institute Naples; indicted.
Lonnette Blair (New Jersey): former chief academic officer of Carleen Home Health School II; indicted.
Stephanie Dorisca (Broward County): head of nursing at Techni-Pro Institute; indicted.
Prosecutors emphasize the seriousness of the case.
Jason A. Reding Quiñones, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, stated:
“These indictments demonstrate our commitment to protecting the integrity of the health care system and to preventing unqualified individuals from endangering patients.”
Brett D. Skiles, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Miami, added: “We will continue to investigate any attempt to circumvent training and certification rules in nursing. Patient safety depends on it.”
Finally, Isaac Bledsoe, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), noted: “Operation Nightingale sends a clear message: falsifying diplomas and betraying patient trust will not go unpunished.”
Judicial consequences and call for information
Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, the DOJ notes, reminding the public that “an indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Federal authorities encourage anyone with relevant information to contact the FBI.
With more than 7,300 fraudulent diplomas and connections across multiple states, Operation Nightingale illustrates the scale of fraud in the health-education sector.
“This case underscores the importance of maintaining strict standards of training and certification in a field as sensitive as nursing,” the DOJ statement concludes.
Investigations are ongoing, conducted jointly by FBI Miami and HHS-OIG, with support from Homeland Security Investigations.
Prosecutors Christopher J. Clark and Nicole Grosnoff are overseeing, respectively, the criminal proceedings and asset forfeiture.
Credit: U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of Florida, news release dated September 15, 2025.
