AUGUST: RECORD MONTH OF ARRESTS FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

DAVIDSON CO. MAN IS LATEST ARREST, CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD AND ID THEFT

NASHVILLE – A Davidson County man has been charged with identity theft and TennCare fraud. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Ricky Kenneth Lyons, 44, of Nashville. He was charged Wednesday night with assuming the identity of a TennCare enrollee for over a year and illegally obtaining TennCare benefits at local pharmacies and doctors’ offices.

“This brought the number of TennCare fraud arrests to 21 for the month of August – a record since we became fully staffed in February - and the 91st arrest during that time,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “We are continuing to work with both local law enforcement and the citizens of Tennessee to prosecute individuals who try to take advantage of the TennCare program.”

The TennCare fraud charge against Lyon is a Class E felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. The identity theft charge is a Class D felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. Bond was set at $7,000. District Attorney General Tory Johnson is prosecuting.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”