MCNAIRY CO. RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH SELLING TENNCARE DRUGS

NASHVILLE – Two McNairy County residents are charged with TennCare fraud for selling pain pills that were paid for with their TennCare healthcare insurance benefits. The latest arrests mean that 189 people have been charged with TennCare fraud in the past year of operation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Charles Moore, 63 and Joyce James, 59, are both charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of possession of a Schedule III drug with intent to deliver. The drug involved – the painkiller hydrocodone – was paid for by TennCare. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the OIG and the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department.

If convicted both could face one to two years for the TennCare fraud charges, and two to four years on the drug charges. Assistant District Attorney Cameron William will prosecute both cases.

“We’re not going to tolerate TennCare fraud, especially when people are subsidizing illegal narcotics trafficking with taxpayer funds,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “In the past, this activity compromised the integrity of the TennCare program, but we are tracking it down and pressing charges.”

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/tenncareand follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”