Haitian-born defendant guilty on all counts in Operation Nightingale case – part of one of the largest nursing credential scandals in U.S. history
Fort Lauderdale, FL – December 24, 2025 A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale has convicted Stephanie Dorisca, the 57-year-old former director of nursing at Techni-Pro Institute in Boca Raton, on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. The swift verdict, reached after less than three hours of deliberation following a three-day trial, marks another major victory in the federal government’s Operation Nightingale.
Dorisca, originally from Haiti where she began her career as a dental hygienist before immigrating to the United States, now faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. Sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
A Scheme That Endangered Patients Nationwide
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Dorisca conspired with the school’s owner and recruiters—primarily based in Texas—to sell fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts. The fake credentials falsely certified that buyers had completed required coursework and mandatory hands-on clinical training, which prosecutors say never took place.
Between 2021 and 2022, the operation sold approximately 954 bogus nursing degrees from Techni-Pro Institute alone, at roughly $16,500 each, generating millions in illicit revenue. Dorisca personally pocketed an estimated $1.5 million from the fraud.
These counterfeit documents allowed purchasers to sit for the national nursing licensure exam (NCLEX), obtain legitimate licenses, and secure employment as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses at healthcare facilities across the country—posing grave risks to patient safety.
Operation Nightingale: Cracking Down on Diploma Mills
The case is part of Operation Nightingale, a multi-agency federal crackdown launched in 2023 targeting South Florida “diploma mills” that flooded the nursing profession with unqualified practitioners.
To date, the investigation has charged more than 40 individuals and uncovered the sale of phony diplomas worth over $220 million, involving around 15,000 fraudulent credentials issued by multiple bogus schools.
During Dorisca’s trial, two Texas-based recruiters testified against her. One had already pleaded guilty; the other is expected to follow suit.
Dorisca was initially set to plead guilty to a single conspiracy charge in a plea agreement but withdrew from the deal and opted for trial.
The school’s owner, Gilbert Hyppolite, 73, remains awaiting trial scheduled for March 2026.
A Sobering Reminder for the Community
The scandal has sent shockwaves through the Haitian-American community in South Florida, where many legitimate nursing professionals work tirelessly to serve patients. Community leaders have expressed disappointment while emphasizing that the actions of a few do not reflect the dedication of thousands of qualified Haitian and Haitian-American nurses nationwide.
Federal prosecutors praised the verdict as a step toward restoring integrity to the nursing profession and protecting public health.
As sentencing approaches, attention turns to the remaining cases in Operation Nightingale and the broader effort to prevent future fraud in healthcare education.
L’Union Suite will continue to follow developments, including Dorisca’s sentencing and Hyppolite’s upcoming trial.
