Crime
2 New York nurses accused of $1.5 million fake vaccination card scheme
Authorities found $900,000 in cash when they raided one suspect's home, along with a ledger that showed the two had made over $1.5 million total.Each woman was charged with one count of forgery last Friday. One was also charged with offering a false instrument for filing.
February 4, 2022 2:17pm
Updated: February 4, 2022 7:26pm
Two nurses from Long Island are accused of forging COVID-19 vaccination cards, making over $1.5 million in the process.
Julie DeVuono, a 49-year-old nurse practitioner, and Marissa Urraro, a 44-year-old licensed practical nurse, allegedly charged $220 for fake cards for adults and $85 for children, said the Suffolk County Police Department last Friday.
“As nurses, these two individuals should understand the importance of legitimate vaccination cards as we all work together to protect public health,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison said.
The two began running the scheme in November 2021 out of a pediatric health clinic owned and operated by DeVuono. Anyone who purchased a fake card was also entered into the New York State Immunization Information System database as “vaccinated.”
The two were caught in a sting by local authorities, who sent undercover detectives who had not received the COVID-19 vaccine to purchase the fakes.
Authorities found $900,000 in cash when they raided DeVuono’s home, along with a ledger that showed the two had made over $1.5 million total.
Each woman was charged with one count of forgery last Friday. DeVuono was also charged with offering a false instrument for filing.
“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,” officials said in a statement.
