Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

January 30, 2022, 8:34 AM

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — Two nurses on Long Island are accused of forging COVID-19 vaccination cards and pocketing more than $1.5 million from the scheme, prosecutors and police said.

Julie DeVuono, the owner of Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in Amityville, and her employee, Marissa Urraro, are both charged with felony forgery, and DeVuono also is charged with offering a false instrument for filing. Both were arraigned Friday.

Urraro's lawyer, Michael Alber, urged people not to rush to judgment about the allegations and said his client is a well-respected nurse.

“We look forward to highlighting the legal impediments and defects of the investigation,” he said Saturday. “It’s our hope that an accusation definitely doesn’t overshadow the good work Miss Urraro’s done for children and adults in the medical field.”

A messages seeking comment was left with DeVuono's attorney.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said DeVuono and Urraro handed out fake vaccination cards, charging $220 for adults and $85 for children. DeVuono, a nurse practitioner, and Urraro, a licensed practical nurse, entered the false information into the state's immunization database, he said.

Prosecutors said the nurses forged a fake card showing a vaccine was given to an undercover detective but never administered the vaccine to the detective.

Law enforcement officers searched DeVuono's home and said they seized about $900,000 in cash and a ledger showing profits of more than $1.5 million from the scheme, which began in November 2021.

“I hope this sends a message to others who are considering gaming the system that they will get caught and that we will enforce the law to the fullest extent,” Tierney said in a statement with other officials.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison added, “As nurses, these two individuals should understand the importance of legitimate vaccination cards as we all work together to protect public health.”

If this is true, it's despicable and they should go to jail   The individuals they sold them to, should be charged as well.  Criminal Enterprise...

[Marp]

I so agree about those that obtained and presumably used the fake cards should also be prosecuted.

[gertrudecloset]

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@Marp wrote:

I so agree about those that obtained and presumably used the fake cards should also be prosecuted.

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It means they never got the shots.  Think of how many people that is a $220 a clip and they made over 1MM dollars?  Lot of people really don't have those shots do they?  It's despicable.

[IslanderGirl62]

That is nothing.  I am an RN, and a friend is dating a physician who has not been vaccinated, but forged her own Covid vaccine card so she could continue to work (the vaccine is mandatory for all health care workers in NY).  

[mspatmac]

Sounds like they were selling cards to those that didn't want the shots but needed proof where shots were required.  Unfortunately I'm not surprised at all, it's happening all over the country.  

[Greeneyedlady21]

Way to uphold their professional oaths. Sadly I have met many people who should not be in medical professions.

[Carmie]

I am in PA.  The vaccines are not mandated for health care workers here, though some employers require them.

We have a lot of doctors, nurses, aids and techs who are not  vaccinated and they are working.  We also have health care workers who tested positive and they are still working to cover the shifts.

If you are vaccinated, why are you afraid of getting COVID?  It really doesn't seem to make any sense.  The cards are useless.

I would not buy a fake COVID card and make someone rich. Some people have a copy of the card on their phone.  Who knows if it is fake or not?  PA does not keep a registry of vaccinated people.

You can be sure there is a lot of fraud going on.  Many people are taking advantage and getting rich from this.  I am not the least bit surprised.

[spiderw]

This is despicable and these women and those who bought the cards need to be prosecuted to the fullest.  No one is above the law including all in the medical field.  Where there is money to be made, there are scam artists taking advantage. 

I am glad everyone was caught and in my opinion it is sickening to know how far people will go to harm others health and well being without a care.

[ROMARY]

And those people who paid for fake cards should each be given a $500 (or more) fine.

'Money talks', so to speak.

I wouldn't be at all surprised that this is going on just about everywhere around the world.

[lovescats]

It makes me wonder what other things those nurses might have done before they did this.

Scam artists come in all professions.