A man who was a Hialeah firefighter for two decades was accused of selling thousands of life support certification cards for over $870,000 without giving the necessary instructional classes to the applicants.
For the past two years, a 60-year-old man who was a firefighter for 20 years with the Hialeah Fire Department was teaching life support classes to people seeking certification from the American Heart Association.
It was reported that the man has training and certifications in several techniques such as basic, advanced cardiovascular, and advanced pediatric life support.
Each card cost $60, and the American Heart Association estimated that the man distributed 14,500 cards between 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, 14 people reportedly paid the retired firefighter for classes to obtain the certification they needed for their jobs. In total, the people said they paid $1,140 in fees to take the courses.
According to reports, the people got certification cards sent to their email addresses without taking part in any training.
The people reported the situation to the Miami-Dade Police Department, and they opened an investigation.
The authorities set up enrollment for an undercover officer, and after he paid the fees, the suspect allegedly sent him an e-Card even though he did not go to any classes.
The American Heart Association reported that they were given records from the suspect claiming that the officer completed training.
The suspect was booked into the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He is currently facing charges for suspicion of third-degree felony organized scheme to defraud. He posted bond and was released from incarceration, but more charges may be added as the investigation continues.
It is posited that the man pocketed $870,000 from the allegedly fraudulent transactions.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.