Sounds like you need to seek legal counsel with a suit against this recruiting agency, and you should also have your lawyer look to see if there are other cases similar to yours. Unfortunately, agencies are known to do this, and I have been on the wrong side myself, having had an employee sent to me with "excellent experience," which turned out to be a lie. This nurse needed to be baby-sat constantly, and was far more of a hazard to the patients and the hospital than a benefit. Not saying your wife is like this nurse by any means, but that was the side I got from the agency. And this nurse also had a major "aversion" to the truth, which on more than one occasion resulted in bad patient outcomes. Remember, that recruiter is only in this for the $$$$, and your wife and you have been abused for their personal interests and financial gain.
Good Luck!! Sorry to hear about your predicament.