ALABAMA WOMAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

ALSO FACES FOOD STAMP FRAUD CHARGE

(NASHVILLE) – A Florence, Alabama, woman has been charged with claiming to live in Tennessee in order to get TennCare and other benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that Desha Boggan, 31, was arrested in Alabama on an indictment issued in Lawrence County, Tennessee, and charged with  TennCare fraud, food stamp fraud, and “WIC” voucher fraud. OIG officials say Boggan falsified applications for the programs in 2001 by stating she was residing in Tennessee though she actually has resided in Florence, Alabama.  Boggan received benefits from the three programs totaling approximately $62,500.  The arrest was coordinated with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Lauderdale County, Alabama Sheriffs Office and the Florence, Alabama Police Department.   

Possible criminal penalties for the charges range from one to 30-years in prison, and she could be required to make restitution.  District Attorney Mike Bottoms and Assistant District Attorney General Jim White are prosecuting.

“When people cross state lines to enroll in TennCare, they’re taking services away from Tennesseans who may need health care insurance,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “When Tennesseans hear about anyone crossing state lines to enroll in TennCare, we need to know about it.”

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.”