Four Mid-State Residents Charged With TennCare Fraud

Monday, July 13, 2015 | 02:38pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Four people in mid-state counties are charged with TennCare fraud.  Residents of Davidson, Clay, Macon and Franklin counties are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases, all involving prescription drugs.

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

  • Zelma Jane Hughes, 59, of Celina in Clay County is charged with five counts of TennCare fraud, eight counts of sale of the painkillers Morphine and Oxycodone in a drug free zone, four counts of delivery of Morphine in a drug free zone, four counts of possession of Oxycodone and Morphine with the intent to sale and maintaining a dwelling in violation of the Tennessee Drug Control Act.  On five separate occasions, Hughes used TennCare to obtain Oxycodone and Morphine, later selling a portion of the drugs to an undercover agent from her home. District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway is prosecuting the case.
  • Candi Leigh Stafford, 26, of Red Boiling Springs in Macon County is charged with TennCare fraud for using the program to obtain Subutex, distributing the drugs to others. Subutex is used to treat addiction to drugs like morphine and oxycodone. District Attorney General Tom P. Thompson will be prosecuting.
  • Ginger Brittany Williams, 32, of Nashville, is charged with TennCare fraud for using TennCare to obtain Suboxone, a drug used to treat addiction to optiates, and later selling a portion of the drugs. District Attorney General Glenn Funk will prosecute the case.
  • Rachel Archer, 66, of Winchester in Franklin County, is charged in connection with using TennCare to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone, later selling a portion to an undercover informant. She is charged with TennCare fraud, sale of a Schedule III controlled substance, delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance and felony possession of a Schedule III controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver. District Attorney General J. Michael Taylor is prosecuting the Franklin County case.

“Prescription drug fraud is a significant burden on the health care system and on communities across the state, “Inspector General Manny Tyndall said.  “We’re committed to eliminating this crime in the TennCare program, and local police and providers across the state are working with us in this effort.”

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, over 2,300 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 Office of Inspector General and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."