Massachusetts staffing agency, owner indicted for sending fake CNAs to nursing homes
A Massachusetts grand jury has indicted a healthcare staffing company and its owner over allegations of fraud that include sending “uncertified individuals” to work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in nursing homes.
State Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced the 13-count indictment on Monday, naming Blooming Staffing Agency, along with its owner, Catherine Kibe; and a former employee, Osaretin “Jerry” Osazee, as defendants in the alleged incidents of illegal staffing.
The official charges include identity theft, along with larceny by false pretenses, because the defendants allegedly billed the facilities for the illegitimate labor provided.
According to Campbell’s office, Blooming contracts with healthcare organizations to provide temporary placement of clinicians, such as CNAs, LPNs and RNs in and around Worcester, Massachusetts.
Under state law, any such business is required to ensure its medical professionals have up-to-date licenses and certifications. However, prosecutors allege that Kibe not only failed to do that, but “knowingly allowed and/or instructed uncertified individuals” to work as CNAs at an unnamed number of nursing homes, where they performed the duties of nurses’ aides despite lacking the proper training.
Further, Blooming is said to have billed its clients for the contract services, taking in more than $300,000.
Prosecutors added that Kibe, 46, has owned the staffing firm since 2020; however, they did not reveal a timeline for when these alleged crimes occurred. They did note, however, that 29-year-old Osazee worked for Blooming between 2023 and 2024—during which time he allegedly worked for its nursing home clients as a CNA.
The attorney general’s office said Osazee, who is not licensed, knowingly impersonated a nursing assistant at the direction of Kibe.
Notably, unlike his co-defendants, Osazee is not charged with larceny but rather “attempted larceny,” a lesser offense.
Campbell’s office stated that this case is part of its ongoing effort to crack down on healthcare staffing agencies, in an effort to protect the “safety and well-being of elders” by ensuring all state laws are being followed. The attorney general’s office said it has recovered $900,000 through settlements and secured one conviction to date.
Given the recency of the announcement, none of the defendants have had a chance to enter a plea or respond to the allegations. They remain innocent until proven guilty.
HealthExec reached out to Blooming Staffing Agency for comment.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.