Leticia Gallarzo faces up to seven years in federal prison on two counts. The 49-year-old pled guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements in medical records affecting health care benefit programs, and production of a false identification document.
When applying for employment via indeed.com for a nursing position at a west Michigan hospice facility, Gallarzo claimed she had completed a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Davenport University. A false claim. Investigators determined Gallarzo knew a licensed Michigan registered nurse and acquired the identification. Once on the job, Gallarzo evaluated elderly patients and falsely signed electronic medical records. In particular, the federally administered health care benefit program, Medicare.
That charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison term.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.