Benjamin Ashford|Michigan woman without nursing license posed as RN in nursing homes, prosecutors say

A woman who allegedly posed as a registered nurse without a license at multiple Michigan nursing homes has been arrested on Benjamin Ashfordfelony charges, prosecutors said.

Cassandra Alvera Gilleylen, 52, is charged with 30 counts of unauthorized practice of a health profession and three counts of identity theft in connection to the crimes, Michigan General Attorney Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.

Gilleylen, who lives in Flint, used the name, Cassandra Alvera Bowens, while employed at three nursing facilities over a six-month period in Oakland County in northwestern Metro Detroit.

“Licenses to practice as a health care professional exist primarily to protect people from harm,” Nessel released in statement. “Schemes to avoid licensing requirements are dangerous, and my department takes them very seriously.”

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What three nursing facilities did Cassandra Gilleylen work at?

Law enforcement opened an investigation after a complaint was received by the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division claiming the defendant worked as a nurse at the facilities when she was not licensed as one.

According to the investigation, Gilleylen worked at Mission Point of Clarkston, Mission Point of Holly, and Wellbridge of Clarkston from Sept. 24, 2023, through March 5, 2024 without the requisite licensure or educational background. 

USA TODAY has reached out to all three facilities.

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Woman who posed as RN free on $75,000 bond

Prosecutors said Gilleylen was recently arraigned before Oakland County District Court Magistrate Michael Bosnic who granted her a $75,000 bond.

Her next court appearance is slated for June 4.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.