Adelphi Nursing Professor Taught With Forged License: DA

A New Hyde Park woman is accused of teaching without a nursing license at Adelphi University and the Borough of Manhattan Community College, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Sophia Clarke, 48, presented forged credentials to colleges she taught after she had her nursing license revoked by state authorities, the DA says. She was arraigned Wednesday for second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first-degree scheme to defraud.

“Because of their lifesaving role in our healthcare system, it’s essential that only licensed professionals be allowed teach nursing to students,” Singas said in a press release. “I’m grateful to the New York State Board of Education, BMCC and Adelphi University for their assistance with this investigation.”

According to the DA, Clarke, who began teaching at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in August 2011, had her registered professional nurse and nurse practitioner licenses revoked in February 2012. She continued to teach and never told BMCC that her licenses were revoked, the DA says.

Clarke was then hired in August 2012 to teach at Adelphi University and provided the school with copies of licenses that had 2014 expiration dates, the DA says. She then re-submitted forged licenses with 2017 expiration dates to the school between April and May of 2014, the DA says.

Clarke was scheduled to teach three classes at BMCC for the Fall 2018 semester, including a hospital clinic that would have involved practicing on actual patients, the DA says.

She has since been been terminated from Adelphi University and was placed on leave from BMCC. She is no longer scheduled to teach in BMCC's Fall 2018 semester. Valid nursing licenses are required to teach at both schools.

Clarke, following her arrest, was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court on Sept. 14. She faces up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

To check the status of a New York State Nursing professional, go to www.op.nysed.gov.

Image via NCDA