Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

FOUR IN COFFEE, SHELBY COUNTIES CHARGED WITH
TENNCARE DRUG FRAUD

NASHVILLE – Four people are charged separately with TennCare fraud in Coffee and Shelby Counties, with all the cases involving efforts to obtain prescription pain medication, using TennCare benefits to pay for them.

“Governor Haslam and the General Assembly have zero tolerance for TennCare fraud and abuse, especially when it comes to selling prescription drugs,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “The Office of Inspector General is collaborating with law enforcement officers in all 95 Tennessee counties to lock up anyone we identify who is involved in prescription drug abuse, particularly those who misuse their TennCare benefits.”

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

• LaChirta S. Douglas, 32, of Whiteville, charged with adding the painkiller Lortab to a legitimate prescription, then using TennCare to pay for the forged prescription at a pharmacy in Cordova, Tennessee.  Douglas is charged with one count of TennCare fraud.
• Lisa Lemons, 50, of Manchester, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud, allegedly using her TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone and Alprazolam, an anti-depressant, while planning to sell a portion of the drugs.
• Michael Bumpus, 46, of Tullahoma, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for using TennCare benefits to obtain Soma, a muscle relaxant, later selling a portion of the prescription.
• Regina Lacewell, 50, of Manchester, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for using TennCare benefits to obtain the strong painkiller Morphine, concealing the fact she planned to sell a portion of the drug.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison.  District Attorney General C. Michael Layne will prosecute the Coffee County cases, and District Attorney General Amy T. Weirich is prosecuting the Shelby Co case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,600 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."