According to officials and media, two Long Island healthcare workers were arrested for allegedly falsifying COVID-19 immunization certificates in a $1.5 million cash injection scheme.
The Suffolk County Police Department announced Friday that Julie DeVuono, a 49-year-old nurse practitioner, and Marissa Urraro, a 44-year-old licensed practical nurse, had been charged with $220 for adult phony cards and $85 for children.
The scheme was allegedly run out of Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in Amityville, which is owned and operated by DeVuono, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
The duo would then enter the fictitious information into the New York State Immunization Information System, falsely listing the people as vaccinated.
Prosecutors also claimed that the two falsified immunization cards for undercover NYPD officers during their arraignment on Friday.
Prosecutors said investigators discovered $900,000 in cash at DeVuono’s residence. The pair allegedly took off with more than $1.5 million in profits, according to financial papers found at DeVuono’s residence.
Forgery was filed against both DeVuono and Urraro. A count of offering fraud was also filed against DeVuono.
