Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

TEN MEMPHIS-AREA RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD
ONE FACES 40 CHARGES OF TENNCARE DRUG FRAUD

MEMPHIS - Ten West Tennessee residents have been indicted by a Shelby County Grand Jury on numerous TennCare fraud charges ranging from identity theft to prescription drug fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department today announced the arrests:

• Adria Dodson, 32, of Memphis, charged with 40 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of TennCare fraud. Dodson is accused of forging prescriptions to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone, which was paid for by TennCare. 
• Tennelle Sample, 32, of Millington, charged with 11 counts of obtaining prescriptions by fraud and one count of TennCare fraud. Sample is accused of using forged prescriptions to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone, which was paid for by TennCare.
• Zandra Smith, 38, of Memphis, charged with one count of TennCare fraud.  Between June 2007 and November 2009, Smith willfully made false statements to gain TennCare benefits she was not entitled to receive.
• Paula Smith, 56, of Millington, charged with two counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.” Smith failed to disclose to her doctor that she had seen another physician within a 30-day period and received a prescription for the same or similar controlled substance, with either the physician office visit or the prescription being paid for by TennCare.
• Carolyn Edington, 31, of Jackson, charged with one count of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.” Edington failed to disclose to her doctor that she had seen another physician within a 30-day period and received a prescription for the same or similar controlled substance, with either the physician office visit or the prescription being paid for by TennCare.
• Tammie Martin, 37, of West Memphis, Arkansas, charged with one count of TennCare fraud.  Between May 2007 and May 2010, Martin willfully made false statements or other fraudulent means to gain TennCare benefits she was not entitled to.
• Sunny Kimbrell, 25, of Memphis, charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining controlled substance by fraud. Kimbrell is accused of altering a legitimate prescription by adding the pain killer Lortab and using her TennCare to pay for the altered prescription.
• Jason Knowles, 33, of Memphis, charged with one count of TennCare fraud, one count of theft of services and one count of identity theft. Knowles is accused of using the identity of a TennCare member in order to gain admittance to Baptist Memorial Hospital in order to avoid payment for services.
• Chalet Fletcher, 41, of Memphis, charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of theft of services. Fletcher is accused of fraudulently obtaining medical assistance benefits that she was not entitled to receive.
• Charlotte Woods, 56, of Bolivar, charged with one count of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.” Woods failed to disclose to her doctor that she had seen another physician within a 30-day period and received a prescription for the same or similar controlled substance, with either the physician office visit or the prescription being paid for by TennCare.

“Our message is simple -- if you lie, cheat, or steal to get TennCare benefits, you risk going to jail because we will be looking for you all across the State of Tennessee,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office will prosecute these cases.

“The victim in these cases is the State of Tennessee. The prosecutors in my office will ensure that in each case we obtain the result that truth dictates and justice demands....for the State of Tennessee,” said Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich.

TennCare fraud is a class E Felony and carries a sentence of up to 2 years; obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, identity theft, and theft of services over $1,000 but less than $10,000 are class D felonies and carries a sentence of up to 4 years; theft of services over $10,000 but less than $60,000 is a class C felony and could result in a prison sentence of up to 6 years.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,400 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."