Fake Nurse Gets 75 Months in Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud

Image: Leticia Gallarzo

A federal judge has sentenced 51-year-old Leticia Gallarzo to 75 months in prison for creating falsified medical records that falsely indicated she was a licensed registered nurse.

Gallarzo was also sentenced on a charge of aggravated identity theft after fraudulently using the identity of a registered nurse licensed in Michigan, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey’s office for the Western District of Michigan.

"This 75-month federal prison sentence sends a clear and unmistakable message: no one gets to lie about their credentials, falsify medical records, or steal identities without facing serious consequences,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Leticia Gallarzo abused the trust placed in medical professionals and put patients at risk. Because of the relentless work of the FBI Grand Rapids Resident Agency, she can no longer fraudulently perform patient assessments or endanger this community. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan for its strong partnership and successful prosecution."

About The Case

In a shocking case of identity theft and fraudulent impersonation, Leticia Gallarzo, 48, was found by the Department of Justice to be posing as a registered nurse for the third time in her criminal history.  She used a licensing number and the name of a nurse, “Leticia Perri” to apply for a position at a Grand Rapids hospice care facility located in Allegan County, Michigan. The officials reported that she also used a fake driver’s license, stolen nursing license, and fake diploma for a master's degree in nursing from George Washington University. 

On May 8th, 2023, Leticia Gallarzo applied to an Indeed job posting for a registered nurse under the guise of Leticia Perri.  Gallarzo reportedly went to an in-person orientation on May 15^th, 2023, where she provided nursing care to vulnerable patients. Her deception was so convincing that she was hired for the role of a unit manager, where she supervised and managed certified nursing assistants to ensure that tasks were completed efficiently.

>> Click to See the Ultimate List of Master’s Degrees in Nursing

During her time as a “nurse”, Gallarzo earned over $1,000 in wages for her services. However, her criminal past caught up with her when the Grand Rapids hospice care facility discovered her prior history and reported it to the Michigan State Police. Her fingerprints were taken on May 23^rd as a routine check when the Grand Rapids hospice care facility learned of her prior history.  Michigan State Police acquired the information that Gallarzo was impersonating a nurse on June 1^st, 2023.

Once in custody, Gallarzo requested a lawyer before answering questions.  A search warrant was obtained where the Michigan State Police found a forged driver’s license and a second Michigan nursing license that belonged to one of her recent coworkers. If Gallarzo is convicted, she will receive 15 years in prison. 

Finding Out the Prior Charges

The facility performed a background check with fingerprints and found out that Gallarzo had prior convictions in Texas of practicing nursing without a license in 2014 and 2015. The FBI reported that her background check showed that she was "permanently excluded from working in a setting that provided direct services to a patient or resident of a nursing home, hospice facility or other similar facilities."

Gallarzo had been convicted of five counts of falsifying medical records regarding health benefits and services while pretending to be a nurse in October 2015, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. These include, 

• In 2016, the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County convicted Gallarzo of the identity theft of another nurse from November 2014 to February 2015.  

• March 2015, she was convicted again of falsifying medical records through Goliad County in Texas after impersonating a nurse again from March 2015 to September 2015.

• In 2022, Gallarzo used the name Leticia Perri but was caught by the company's Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer for the name not matching her driver’s license. 

Official Statements 

When the case was unsealed in federal court, Gallarzo surrendered to the FBI on August 2nd, 2023. According to the Criminal Complaint allegations posted by the Department of Justice, she is facing counts of Identity theft and unauthorized practice of a health professional.

According to FBI Acting Special Agent Devin J. Kowalski, "Any unqualified person who poses as a medical professional puts the lives of innocent patients at risk, as alleged in this case, I would like to thank the Michigan State Police for their outstanding investigative work during this case. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to ensure identity theft cases like this one are thoroughly investigated."

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten also acknowledged the seriousness of the accusations, stating, “My office takes these accusations very seriously." 

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