Shelby Co. Woman Charged with Identity Theft, TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Shelby County woman is charged with TennCare fraud and identity theft for filling a forged prescription, using another person’s TennCare benefits to pay for the prescription.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of Latoya Benton, also known as Latoya Wright, 32, of Memphis. She is charged with TennCare fraud and identity theft for presenting a forged prescription for the painkiller Oxycodone, using the TennCare pharmacy benefits of another person as well as the name and DEA number of the provider – which she was unauthorized to use.

"Pharmacies across the state are alert to the some people are using in an effort to obtain prescription drugs, either for personal use or to sell," Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. "We depend on the state´s pharmacists and their employees to help us identify these cases and prosecute them."

District Attorney General Amy T. Weirich is prosecuting.  Until June 30, 2016, TennCare fraud was classified as a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. TennCare fraud is now a Class D felony, raising the maximum penalty from two to four years in prison.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,689 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”