SUMNER, SHELBY CO. RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE - A Sumner County woman and a couple from Memphis have been charged with TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Patricia Allen, 42, of Hendersonville, charged with passing forged prescriptions to local pharmacies in order to obtain narcotics on seven different occasions, to be paid for by TennCare. The arrest was assisted by the Sumner County Sheriff's Department and the 18^th Judicial Drug Task Force. District Attorney General Ray Whitley of Sumner County will be prosecuting the case. The possible criminal penalties for the charge(s) are 1-2 years.

In an unrelated case, a Shelby County couple is charged with TennCare fraud for being on the public healthcare program even though their employers offer health insurance. Dharma Chatterjee, 66, and Ratna Chatterjee, 55, are charged with defrauding the state of over $10,000 in TennCare benefits. Access to insurance makes the couple ineligible for TennCare.

The charges against the Chatterjees are Class C and Class E felonies punishable by two to six in prison. The Chatterjee's bonds were set at $2,500 each. District Attorney General William Gibbons of Shelby County is prosecuting the cases.

"We will prosecute both husband and wife when an investigation points to both individuals, no matter who completes the TennCare application" Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. "We intend to make sure that everyone on the program is eligible for TennCare."

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".