Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

TWO IN DAVIDSON CO. CHARGED WITH TENNCARE DRUG FRAUD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Two Davidson County residents are charged with TennCare fraud involving prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Janet L. Kelly, 29, of Madison and Diane McGill, also known as Brenda A. McGill or Brenda Arlene McGill, 46, of Nashville. 

Kelly surrendered at the Metro Nashville Police Department after a warrant for her arrest was issued following an OIG investigation.   She’s accused of filling a forged prescription for the painkiller Hydrocodone at a pharmacy in Nashville and paying for the drug with TennCare. Kelly faces two counts of TennCare fraud, three counts of forgery, three counts of identity theft and three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

Diane McGill was arrested by Metro Nashville Police after a warrant for her arrest was issued, based on information following an OIG investigation.  She is accused of selling the painkiller Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover officer.   McGill faces one count of TennCare fraud and one count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Victor S. Johnson, III is prosecuting.

The OIG, a law enforcement agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 860 individuals for TennCare fraud, with nearly $1 million paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $122 million, according to latest figures. 

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.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."