Two People Charged with TennCare Fraud in Perry, Sumner Counties

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two people are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases in Perry and Sumner Counties, with both involving prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests:

• Clesha Seiber, 31, of Hohenwald, charged in Perry County with using TennCare benefits to obtain Suboxone, a drug used to treat addiction to heroin and morphine, and attempting to smuggle the drug to an inmate in the Perry County Jail.  The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office assisted in this arrest.
• Bonnie Ruth Mayberry, 65, of Westmoreland, accused of using TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Oxycodone, which she later sold to an undercover informant.  The act occurred within 1000 feet of a school.  The 18th Judicial Drug Task Force assisted in this arrest.

“Prescription drug abuse hurts individuals, families and communities, and we’re intent on finding and prosecuting these cases when TennCare is involved,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Kim Helper will be prosecuting the Perry County Case.  District Attorney General Lawrence R. Whitley will be prosecuting the Sumner County case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,321 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to Office of Inspector General and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."