Monrovia — SpoonTV CEO Stanton Witherspoon has secured his release after prosecutors credited him with providing substantial assistance in the investigation and prosecution of a multimillion-dollar scheme involving the sale of fraudulent nursing diplomas and transcripts.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Witherspoon, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was originally sentenced in November 2023 to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
But on September 9, 2026, U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith granted a government motion under Rule 35(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, reducing Witherspoon’s sentence to time served and eliminating the supervised-release requirement. The remaining counts against him—Counts 2 through 6 and Count 8—were dismissed.
The $5.17 Million Scheme
According to prosecutors, Witherspoon was a 50% owner of Siena Education Center LLC and Siena College of Health II LLC, as well as founder and president of Nursing Education Resource Center LLC (NERC).
Prosecutors said Witherspoon worked with Rene Bernadel, Alfred Sellu and Cimoyne Alves through NERC to recruit and train aspiring nurses.
He later worked with Eunide Sanon and Siena to provide fraudulent nursing-school diplomas and transcripts. The documents were used by students to obtain fraudulent certification as registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
Witherspoon was held responsible for approximately $5.17 million in losses.
His total offense level was calculated at 26, with a criminal history category of I, resulting in a federal sentencing guideline range of 63 to 78 months. He ultimately received a 41-month sentence in 2023.
Testimony Against Co-Conspirators
The government’s decision to seek a reduction in Witherspoon’s sentence was tied directly to his cooperation with federal investigators and prosecutors.
Before entering his guilty plea, Witherspoon was interviewed by agents from the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General about individuals involved in nursing-school fraud schemes.
Prosecutors said his cooperation subsequently contributed to cases against several defendants.
Among those was Carleen Noreus, who operated a separate fraudulent nursing program known as Carleen Health Institute. Witherspoon testified against Noreus at trial, and she later pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy charges. She is awaiting sentencing.
Other defendants who pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges included Cimoyne Alves, Lemuel Pierre and Cleophat Tanis.
Witherspoon also provided an affidavit identifying nursing students who had received fraudulent degrees and transcripts. That information was forwarded to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, allowing state licensing boards to take remedial action.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, together with HHS-OIG and FBI investigators, supported the reduction, citing the scope and usefulness of Witherspoon’s cooperation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark filed the Rule 35(b) motion on behalf of the government.
From Conviction to Freedom
The court’s decision means Witherspoon has now completed his federal prison sentence and will not be required to serve the previously imposed three years of supervised release.
His release has generated considerable reaction in Liberia, where Witherspoon is a prominent media personality and the head of the Spoon Network.
Witherspoon was a vocal supporter of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Unity Party Alliance during the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.
He used the Spoon Network to campaign for Boakai, then a former vice president and opposition candidate, and helped to organize political events involving the Boakai campaign in the United States.
The media entrepreneur was subsequently credited by supporters with playing a role in mobilizing Liberians abroad and helping the Unity Party candidate defeat then-President George Weah.
Despite his support for Boakai, however, Witherspoon has since used his media platform to criticize aspects of the administration, regularly highlighting what he describes as policy failures and missteps by officials of the government he once strongly supported.
‘Now That We Are Free, We Will Talk’
Following the court’s decision, Witherspoon appeared on his Spoon Network and thanked his wife, relatives, pastor, staff and Liberians who supported him during his legal ordeal.
He also sought to separate his release from Liberia’s political divisions.
“God didn’t do this for me. God did it because He is God,” Witherspoon said.
“This is not about the Unity Party, not about CDC, not about who is in government. We will continue to talk; we are not going anywhere. Now that we are free, we will talk.”
He thanked Liberians, politicians and private citizens who had contacted him, prayed for him and wished him well.
The news of his release has produced mixed reactions, with supporters celebrating the decision while others have questioned the court’s action in reducing his sentence.
Spoon Network Celebrates
Tetee C. Karneh, CEO of the Spoon Network, also appeared briefly on Spoon Talk following the ruling and thanked the network’s staff and Witherspoon’s wife for standing by him throughout the legal proceedings.
Karneh, who previously served as General Manager of Spoon FM before being elevated to CEO as Witherspoon focused on his legal case, attributed his release to divine intervention.
She also thanked the Liberian people for their support and expressed appreciation to the U.S. court system.
Snowe Welcomes Release
Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe also welcomed Witherspoon’s release in a statement posted on Facebook.
“My dear friend, Stanton, through it all, you looked unto the hills from whence cometh your help. You kept the faith, you trusted God, and today, your prayers have been answered,” Snowe wrote.
He described Witherspoon as “a free man” and said he shared in the relief and gratitude surrounding the end of the difficult chapter.
“May this experience strengthen your faith even more and remind you that no matter how difficult the journey becomes, God remains faithful,” Snowe added.
For Witherspoon, the federal court ruling closes one chapter of his legal battle—but his active role in Liberia’s highly charged media and political landscape could open another, particularly after his declaration that “now that we are free, we will talk.”
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
