Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

FOUR PEOPLE CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Four people are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases stretching from Waynesboro to Surgoinsville, Tennessee.   The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the four arrests, which all involve individuals obtaining prescription medications paid for by TennCare, with the intent of selling them.

The arrests include:

• Nickeima K. Keeton, 29, of Waynesboro, charged with TennCare fraud for obtaining the painkiller Lortab with TennCare benefits while concealing the fact she planned to sell a portion of the drugs;
• Angel Vanderver, 19, of Clifton, charged with TennCare fraud for using TennCare to obtain a prescription for Robaxin, a muscle relaxant, then selling a portion of the drugs to an undercover informant;
• Ilene Devers, 61, of Clifton, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for obtaining  the painkillers Morphine and Lortab, paid for by TennCare, and selling a portion of the prescriptions to an undercover informant;
• Tammy Shelters, 29, of Surgoinsville, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for obtaining the painkiller Lortab using TennCare benefits and concealing the fact she planned to sell a portion of the drugs.

"Tennessee communities are simply no longer tolerating the fraudulent misuse of prescription drugs, especially when TennCare is involved,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. "We are working closely with local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies across the state to investigate and prosecute these types of crimes."

If convicted, all four could be sentenced up to two years for the TennCare fraud charge which is a class E felony.  District Attorney General Mike Bottoms will be prosecuting the three Wayne cases and District Attorney General H. Greeley Wells, Jr. will be handling the Shelters’ case. 

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,050 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."