BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CLOSURE OF PHONY NURSING SCHOOL, $500,000 IN RESTITUTION
Students paid $20,000 for classes that led to worthless degrees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Russ Heimerich (916) 574-8171SACRAMENTO –An investigation by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) has led to the closure of a phony nursing school in Los Angeles.
RN Learning Center charged students $20,000 for classes that the school said would make them eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination which qualifies individuals to become licensed nurses. However, students’ transcripts were declared fraudulent and they were ineligible to take the exam.
BRN began an investigation in 2007, and the Attorney General’s Office today announced a settlement negotiated on behalf of BRN. The settlement requires the school to close, and its owner, Junelou Chalico Enterina to pay $500,000 in restitution and never open a nursing school again
“This kind of fraud is absolutely unacceptable,” said Department of Consumer Affairs Director Brian Stiger. “Ripping off people who not only want to improve their lives but to help others is singularly distasteful.”
“The Board ordered this school to close three years ago, yet it kept right on operating and deceiving students,” said BRN Acting Executive Officer Louise Bailey. “We are very glad to see that it has finally been made to stop committing fraud against students and has been forced to refund students’ tuition.”
BRN has already taken disciplinary action against Maria Khatib and Lydia Sebastian, who were associated with the school, and has posted a warning to students on its Web site regarding unaccredited schools.
Individuals who were students at RN Learning Center or any school affiliated with it are urged to contact the California Attorney General’s Office at (213) 897-2000.
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/press_releases/2010/0811_brn.shtmlhttp://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1975
