PORTLAND DOCTOR ACCUSED OF TRADING SEX FOR TENNCARE DRUGS

NASHVILLE – A Middle Tennessee osteopathic physician has been charged with TennCare fraud for trading sex with patients for drugs that were paid for by TennCare.   

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today arrested of Dr. Robert Ladd, 67, of Portland.  He was indicted on three counts of aiding and abetting TennCare fraud stemming from an investigation conducted by the OIG, the Portland Police Department, and the Sumner and Macon County Drug Task Forces that began in April 2004 with undercover operations conducted by Portland police officers.

The charges against Ladd stem from writing prescriptions for three TennCare enrollees in exchange for sexual favors.  The drugs were paid for by TennCare.   Ladd has clinics in Whitehouse, Lafayette, Red Boiling Springs, Portland and Westmoreland, Tennessee.  If convicted, Dr. Ladd could face two to four years in prison for each count.

“We will continue to pursue individuals who misuse this important healthcare program,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “We all want to trust our doctors, and in this case a doctor grossly abused that trust, but we will pursue charges against anyone who takes advantage of TennCare – enrollees or healthcare professionals.”

Macon County District Attorney General Tommy Thompson and Assistant District Attorney General Bobby Hibbitt will prosecute the case. 

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.”