Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –An investigation by the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau of the NM Department of Justice has resulted in a Dona Ana county grand jury issuing an indictment against an imposter nurse. Margarita Gonzalez allegedly assumed the identities of nurses in Texas to gain employment in four Las Cruces nursing facilities. The NMDOJ’s investigation revealed that Gonzalez, who has no nursing license or credentials was illegally administering injections and dispensing prescribed medications, including dispensing narcotics to eight juvenile inpatient residences. She was terminated by several facilities due to patient safety concerns. Gonzalez has been charged with 34 counts of misconduct including identity theft, nursing without a license, abuse of a resident, distribution of controlled substances to a minor, and fraud totaling over $25,000. If convicted on all counts she could face up to 100 years in prison.
