Five in East Tennessee Charged With TennCare Fraud

Thursday, August 06, 2015 | 01:16pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Five people are charged in separate TennCare fraud cases, all but one involving prescription drugs. Three are from Scott County, along with people from Overton and Bradley Counties.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Overton, Bradley, and Scott County Sheriff’s Offices today announced the arrests:

  • Malinda Sue Lewis, 43, of Livingston, charged in Overton County with TennCare fraud in connection with using TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Morphine, later selling a portion to an undercover informant.
  • Brittany Dodson-Bristol, 26, of Cleveland, charged by a Bradley County Grand Jury with TennCare fraud and theft of services over $10,000. Charges say she falsely reported her income to the state in order to obtain TennCare benefits for herself and her children.
  • Wanda Goodman, 47, of Winfield, charged in Scott County with TennCare fraud, sale of a Schedule II controlled substance and delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance. Charges accuse her of using TennCare to obtain the painkiller Oxycodone, later selling a portion to an undercover informant.
  • Keisha Robbins, 27, of Oneida, charged in Scott County with TennCare fraud, sale of a Schedule III controlled substance and delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance. Charges accuse Robbins of obtaining Hydrocodone with TennCare benefits and selling a portion to an undercover agent.
  • Ida Day, 64, of Huntsville, charged in Scott County with TennCare fraud, sale of a Schedule IV controlled substance and delivery of a Schedule IV controlled substance. She’s accused of using TennCare benefits to obtain a prescription for the anti-anxiety medication Alprazolam, later selling a portion of the medication to a confidential source.

“We dedicate much of our time and resources tracking tips to stop people who are trying to commit prescription drug diversion, using TennCare benefits to traffic drugs at the taxpayers’ expense,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are committed to finding this activity and prosecuting to the fullest extent.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway will be prosecuting the Overton County Case.  District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump will be prosecuting the Bradley County case, and District Attorney General Jared Effler will be prosecuting the Scott County cases.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,425 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."