2ND ARREST FOR KNOX WOMAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE DRUG FRAUD

NASHVILLE – A Knox County woman is charged with TennCare fraud – for the second time - for using TennCare to pay for fraudulent prescriptions.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Kimberly Webb, 33, of Powell. She was indicted in Hamblen County on three counts of prescription drug fraud for acquiring controlled substances by fraud or forgery and three counts of TennCare fraud. The drugs involved were diazepam (a form of valium, an anti-anxiety drug) and the painkillers Percocet and Oxycontin, which are brand drugs of oxycodone.

Webb was arrested in January on indictments from Knox County for three counts of unlawfully and knowingly obtaining the painkillers Oxycontin and Percocet as well as valium, an anti-depressant, and she was also charged with attempting to obtain medical assistance through fraudulent means. She is still awaiting trial on those charges.

If convicted Webb could spend up to six years in prison for these class E felonies. The case will be prosecuted by District Attorney C. Berkeley Bell.

“Once again, this is a great example of pharmacy employees who were alert to the tactics some people use to obtain prescription painkillers,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We depend upon the pharmacies to help us identify these cases so we can arrest and prosecute the people who are doing this.”

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.”