Grand Rapids, MI — A Michigan woman who fraudulently posed as a licensed registered nurse and worked inside a nursing home has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Federal prosecutors said 51-year-old Leticia Gallarzo received a 75-month prison sentence after admitting to creating falsified medical credentials and stealing the identity of a real nurse licensed in Michigan. The sentence includes penalties for both fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Stolen Identity Used to Gain Employment
According to court records, Gallarzo assumed the identity of an actual registered nurse before applying for a position at a nursing home in western Michigan. Using the stolen identity, she was hired and worked at the facility from August 2022 through May 2023.
Investigators said the deception allowed Gallarzo to gain direct access to vulnerable residents despite having no legitimate nursing credentials.
Fake License and Records
Federal officials said Gallarzo went to significant lengths to maintain the ruse. She allegedly created counterfeit documents, including a nursing license, a diploma, and other identification records, to convince her employer she was properly trained and authorized to practice as a registered nurse.
Authorities did not disclose whether any patients were harmed during Gallarzo’s time at the facility. The case underscores ongoing concerns about credential verification and oversight in long-term care settings, particularly amid persistent staffing shortages.
