Lauderdale County Woman Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE - A Lauderdale County woman has been arrested for using TennCare to pay for forged prescriptions for drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Shaquetta Shavonne Dubick, 30, of Ripley.  Her arrest was assisted by the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.

A four-count indictment in Lauderdale County accuses Dubick of twice altering legitimate prescriptions by adding the painkiller Lortab to prescriptions, using TennCare to pay for the forged prescriptions.  Dubick is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud and two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

“Tennesseans have given us a clear mandate to get this type of abuse out of the TennCare program, and to help get prescription drugs off the streets,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “We take this responsibility seriously and intend to pursue each of these cases.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge, and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony, punishable by two to four years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Michael Dunavant is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures. To date, over 1,100 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 www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."