Los Angeles Times Examines State Investigation of Certified Nursing Assistant Test Score ‘Scheme’
The Los Angeles Times today examines the state's investigation of a "scheme" to sell passing test scores to applicants who otherwise would not qualify to work as certified nursing assistants. To date, the state Justice Department has arrested 76 people linked to the fraud ring, and health officials have revoked 124 certificates for nursing assistants. Those arrested include two "key figures," Juan Cano and Carole Lopez, who pleaded no contest last month to felony charges that they led the ring. Both had their licenses revoked and were sentenced to 300 days in jail and five years' probation and will together face almost $100,000 in fines and restitution. The "proctor and doctor" scheme earned the pair about $32,000 over a year, the Times reports. Law enforcement officials say they expect "another 20 or so arrests" connected to the ring, and both the state Justice Department and Department of Health Services said that additional investigations are "under way" (Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 7/8).
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