Wilson Co. Woman Charged 2nd Time with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After a year of eluding authorities, a Wilson County woman is booked in Davidson County with using TennCare to doctor shop for prescription drugs. It’s her second arrest for the same crime.                  

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Metro Nashville police, today announced the arrest of Shirley Ann Bogle, 44, of Watertown. A Davidson County Grand Jury indicted Bogle in August of last year, charging her with three counts of doctor shopping for the painkiller Oxycodone, using TennCare as payment.

Bogle was arrested in December of 2015, after a Wilson County indictment charged her with the same crime - doctor shopping for Oxycodone, using TennCare as payment.

“Crossing into another county to try to get prescription drugs does not prevent a person from being busted for trying to stock up on prescriptions for painkillers,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “With all the concern today about opioid abuse, Tennesseans can be sure we are working hard against this activity in TennCare, a taxpayer-funded program.”

District Attorney General Glenn R. Funk is prosecuting. TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up 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, 2,886 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 visit the website and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”