FRANKLIN CO. NURSE CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD ACCUSED OF BILLING TENNCARE FOR FORGED PRESCRIPTIONS

NASHVILLE – A Franklin County woman who works as a registered nurse has been charged with TennCare fraud. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of 42-year-old Cheryle Armstrong of Belvidere, Tennessee.

In a Franklin County indictment, Armstrong is accused of committing a felony by presenting forged prescriptions through impersonation to the Huntland Pharmacy in Franklin County. The prescriptions were subsequently paid for by TennCare. Armstrong was also charged with a felony count of attempting to fraudulently obtain a controlled substance.

“This is another example of local law enforcement coming to our office for assistance when TennCare fraud is suspected,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “We hope that everyone, including local law enforcement will ask for our assistance or let us know when they suspect TennCare fraud.”

The TennCare charges against Ms. Armstrong are Class E felonies, punishable by up to four years in prison. Bond was set at $ 5,000. Franklin County District Attorney Michael Taylor Gibson is prosecuting.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read “Report Fraud Now.”