TENNCARE FRAUD ARREST IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY
HUSBAND CHARGED WITH FRAUD INVOLVING DISABLED EX-WIFE

NASHVILLE – The Office of TennCare Inspector General (OIG) today arrested a White County man on a Cumberland County indictment for TennCare fraud. Sheriff’s officers in Cumberland and White Counties assisted in the arrest.

66-Year-old Claude Hendrickson of Sparta was indicted on two charges of theft of services for defrauding the state of approximately $40,292 in TennCare benefits.

The indictment charges that while acting under power of attorney for his ex-wife, Hendrickson committed theft of services in fraudulently obtaining TennCare health insurance for her by concealing assets that would have kept her from being eligible for TennCare.

In addition, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) has filed a complaint in Cumberland County against Hendrickson, requesting he repay his ex-wife over $60,000 to replenish an investment account he liquidated in March 2004, weeks before his wife was placed in a nursing home.

“We have open cases in almost every county in Tennessee,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We’re committed to stopping this type of activity so TennCare will be there for people who need healthcare and can’t afford it.”

If convicted, Hendrickson could be sentenced to up to eight-years in prison. Cumberland County District Attorney William E. Gibson will be prosecuting.