TWO MORE TENNCARE FRAUD ARRESTS IN FRANKLIN CO

FAMILY OF THREE ARRESTED MARCH 8

NASHVILLE – Two more arrests bring to five the number of people charged with TennCare fraud in Franklin County. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that the latest arrests both involve prescription drug fraud. On Wednesday (March 8), a family of three was charged – including an osteopathic physician whose license had been suspended – as well as his wife and a son.

In the latest pair of arrests Larry Hood, 48, of Winchester was indicted on two counts of TennCare fraud, as well as two counts of sale and delivery of the painkiller hydrocodone and two counts of felony possession of the drug, a Schedule III narcotic. The charges accuse Hood of drug diversion, or selling drugs paid for by TennCare, on two separate occasions

In a separate case, Carolyn Maiava, 61, of Cowan was indicted on eight counts of TennCare fraud for using another person’s TennCare benefits to obtain prescription drugs for herself

Hood was released on $7,500 bond and Maiava’s bond was set at $2,500. Both will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steve Blunt of Franklin County. If convicted, each could face up to six years in prison.

“This continues to be an ongoing battle with people defrauding TennCare for their drugs and it’s a battle we will continue to fight.” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We are pursuing dozens of prescription cases across the state and plan to prosecute anyone and everyone we find to be abusing this system.”

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.”