EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A woman has been charged with felony health care fraud in El Paso for allegedly impersonating a nurse after state investigators alleged she spent more than two years obtaining nursing jobs with seven different employers across El Paso.
As KFOX14/CBS4 previously reported, Margarita Gonzalez, 43, who has already been charged in Las Cruces for impersonating a nurse, was arrested last week in El Paso on over a dozen charges related to healthcare fraud.
According to court documents obtained by KFOX14/CBS4, investigators allege Gonzalez spent more than two years obtaining nursing jobs, identifying seven different employers she was employed at.
Investigators believe she uses nursing license numbers assigned to other women with similar names to obtain employment.
According to court records, Gonzalez is accused of fraud after more than $548,000 in Medicaid overpayments were tied to services she allegedly performed while unlicensed between Nov. 1, 2024, and Jan. 23, 2025. Prosecutors also allege she unlawfully possessed and used another person’s nursing license number without consent.
As a result, a grand jury indicted Gonzalez on one count of health care fraud involving more than $300,000 and one count of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. Court records show a judge set her bond at $20,000.
The case was investigated by the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) after the Texas Board of Nursing issued a public warning in October 2025 that Gonzalez was allegedly seeking employment as a registered nurse in Texas and New Mexico using nursing license numbers belonging to licensed nurses with the same name.
Investigators allege Gonzalez never held a Texas nursing license. Instead, authorities say she used license numbers belonging to registered nurses from Austin and Laredo while using her own date of birth and Social Security number during the hiring process. One victim told investigators she had never worked in El Paso, never authorized anyone to use her nursing license and wanted criminal charges pursued.
KFOX14/CBS4 asked the Texas Board of Nursing how employers should verify a nurse’s identity and license and what safeguards are in place to prevent this type of alleged fraud.
The Board provided the following statement:
The Texas Board of Nursing encourages employers to verify the licensure status of nurses before employment and periodically throughout a nurse’s employment. License verification is available at no cost through the Texas Board of Nursing’s online licensure verification system for Texas licenses and through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Nursys QuickConfirm service for nurses licensed throughout the United States.The Board also reminds employers that careful credential verification is an important safeguard. As reflected in the Board’s October 2025 imposter alert, employers identified discrepancies during the credentialing process when an individual attempted to obtain employment using the identities and license numbers of nurses with similar names. The applicant’s identifying information did not match the Board’s licensure records, and the facilities appropriately notified the Board.Employers are also encouraged to enroll in Nursys e-Notify, a free service that provides real-time notifications of changes to a nurse’s licensure status, including disciplinary actions and other licensing updates. e-Notify helps employers remain informed of changes affecting their employed registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses as those updates are reported by boards of nursing across the country.These resources help employers and the public confirm that a nurse holds an active license, verify that an individual’s identifying information matches the licensure record, and remain aware of any subsequent changes to that license status.
Seven Employers Identified
Court documents allege Gonzalez secured employment at multiple facilities throughout El Paso from January 2023 through August 2025, working under false credentials while performing duties that legally require a nursing license.
Angels of Care Pediatric Home Health
According to investigators, Gonzalez applied in December 2022, claiming to be a registered nurse and using another nurse’s license number. She allegedly worked from Jan. 4, 2023, through May 2, 2024, providing medical care, administering medications and assessing patients. Authorities estimate she earned $122,025.79 before the company learned from the Texas Board of Nursing that she allegedly had falsified her credentials.
Nazareth Living Care Center
Investigators allege Gonzalez obtained employment as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) after applying in August 2024 using a license number belonging to another nurse in Amarillo with the same name. She allegedly worked from Aug. 27 through Nov. 11, 2024, administering medications and updating patient records before she stopped reporting to work. She reportedly earned $10,280.41.
Patriot Rehabilitation and Wellness Center
According to charging documents, Gonzalez applied in October 2024 claiming she had worked as a registered nurse at Providence Hospital. Investigators allege she worked from Nov. 1, 2024, through Jan. 23, 2025, earning $14,649.11. Records show she received disciplinary action before being terminated after the employer discovered discrepancies involving her Social Security number and nursing license.
Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation
Investigators allege Gonzalez was hired as a charge nurse after applying in February 2025. She allegedly worked from Feb. 20 through May 9, 2025, performing duties including patient care, medication administration, carrying out physician orders and supervising subordinate staff. Authorities allege the facility terminated her after discovering the nursing license was fraudulent. Investigators estimate she earned $15,452.71.
Los Arcos Del Norte Care Center
According to investigators, Gonzalez applied in February 2025 and attended orientation after being hired in March 2025 but failed to return to work after one day. She allegedly received $331.50 in wages.
White Acres Wellness and Rehabilitation
Court records allege Gonzalez applied in May 2025, claimed she had attended nursing college for five years, and signed an RN employment offer. She allegedly worked from May 16 through July 29, 2025, earning $14,758.96 before resigning.
Edgemere Estates
Investigators allege Gonzalez accepted a position as a charge nurse with an annual salary of $83,200, beginning work on July 30, 2025. She allegedly remained until Aug. 26, 2025, performing nursing and supervisory duties before leaving the facility. Authorities estimate she earned $3,778.40.
KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to all seven employers for comment on the case and on their vetting process when hiring nurses.
In addition to the felony indictment, Gonzalez faces multiple Class A misdemeanor nursing regulation cases in El Paso County. The misdemeanor complaints allege she:
Practiced professional or vocational nursing without a license;Used the titles “RN,” “LVN” or “Nurse” without authorization;Fraudulently furnished a nursing license; andPracticed nursing under false representation.
Each case corresponds to a separate period of alleged employment at one of the health care facilities.
Court records also show Gonzalez had already been arrested on those misdemeanor warrants before the felony warrant packet was filed.
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