A former Long Island nurse practitioner who sold fake COVID-19 vaccination cards has received a $544,000 state penalty, adding another financial consequence to a case that has affected former patients, school districts, and state health officials years after her arrest.
Julie DeVuono, who operated Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in Amityville, had already pleaded guilty in the criminal case.
Prosecutors said the scheme involved forged vaccination records, false entries in state databases, and more than $1.2 million in proceeds.
The State Penalty Followed the Fake Vaccine Records Case
DeVuono was the owner of Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare, a pediatric practice in Amityville.
The case first drew attention in 2022, when authorities accused DeVuono and an employee of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards and entering false information into the state immunization system.
The state action adds to the criminal consequences DeVuono already faced in Suffolk County.
Prosecutors Said Adults and Children Paid for Fake Cards
When DeVuono was arrested, prosecutors said fake vaccination cards were being sold for adults and children.
Adults were charged $220 for fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, while children were charged $85, according to reports on the original case. Authorities said false vaccination information was also entered into the New York State Immunization Information System.
Prosecutors said a fake card was created for an undercover detective even though the vaccine was never administered.
Cash and Ledgers Were Found During the Investigation
Authorities said the investigation found large sums of cash and records documenting the proceeds.
During a search of DeVuono’s home, law enforcement officers seized about $900,000 in cash, according to AP. Investigators also found ledgers showing profits of more than $1.5 million from the fake vaccination-card operation.
The criminal case later expanded beyond the original COVID-card allegations. Prosecutors also accused DeVuono of laundering proceeds and filing false prescriptions for opioids for people who were not her patients.
DeVuono Later Pleaded Guilty
DeVuono pleaded guilty in September 2023 to charges tied to forged COVID-19 vaccination cards, money laundering, and false prescription filings.
In June 2024, she was sentenced to 840 hours of community service instead of six months in jail. She also received five years of probation. The $544,000 state penalty is the latest financial consequence in a case that had already included forfeiture of more than $1.2 million.
As part of the case, DeVuono surrendered her nurse practitioner and registered nurse licenses and agreed to close the pediatric practice.
The Case Later Reached Childhood Immunization Records
In 2024, the New York State Department of Health voided pediatric immunization records for approximately 135 children whose records it said had been falsified by DeVuono through Wild Child Pediatrics.
The department said its review found more than 1,500 falsified vaccinations.
FOX 5 NY reported that a later review identified an additional 35 students with fraudulent or otherwise invalid Wild Child records after state officials subpoenaed more than 100 schools.
Schools and Parents Were Pulled Into the Fallout
The invalidated records created problems for families and school districts because New York requires proof of certain immunizations for school attendance.
AP reported in 2024 that a suburban Long Island school district barred some former Wild Child patients from school after state health officials challenged records tied to DeVuono’s practice.
State officials also subpoenaed records from more than 100 school districts as they continued reviewing vaccination records connected to Wild Child Pediatrics.
Fake Medical Records Can Create Problems Years Later
False immunization records can later affect school attendance, employment compliance, state health databases, pediatric files, insurance documentation, and future medical decisions.
Patients and parents who receive notice that a vaccination record is invalid should contact the state or local health department, the school district if school records are involved, and a licensed medical provider to confirm what vaccinations are actually documented and what steps are needed next.
Suspected forged medical records, fake vaccination cards, or false entries in an immunization system can be reported to the state health department, state professional licensing board, local law enforcement, and any school or employer relying on the record.