TROUSDALE COUNTY COUPLE ARRESTED FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

Nashville - A Trousdale County couple has been charged with TennCare fraud. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that Jerry Whitaker, 54, and his 61-year-old wife Janetta Whitaker, both of Hartsville, Tennessee, are charged with defrauding the State of Tennessee of over $10,000 in TennCare benefits.

An indictment charges that Jerry Whitaker intentionally failed to report his wife’s access to healthcare insurance, which would have made him ineligible for TennCare. The charge against him is felony theft of services charge for allegedly enrolling in TennCare medical by y not reporting his wife’s access to insurance that would have made him ineligible for TennCare. The value of the TennCare benefits unlawfully obtained was more than $10,000. His wife, Janetta Whitaker was charged separately with aiding and abetting her husband in fraudulently obtaining TennCare by concealing the fact that she had health insurance through her employer which would have rendered them ineligible for the TennCare program.

“We hope people – especially families in Tennessee – are getting the message that we are serious about pursuing TennCare fraud, especially when multiple family members are involved,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said.

The charge against Jerry Whitaker is a Class C felony, punishable by up to six years in prison. The charge against his wife is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years. His bond was set at $10,000 while his wife’s bond was set at $5,000. Trousdale County District Attorney Tommy Thompson 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.”