Eight People Charged in Middle Tennessee with TennCare Fraud

Wednesday, March 02, 2016 | 10:02am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eight people in Middle Tennessee are charged with felony counts of TennCare fraud in unrelated cases, with all but one case involving prescription drugs. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the eight arrests involving residents of Carroll, Hardin, Marshall, Robertson, Sumner and Williamson counties:

  • Timothy F. Floyd, 44, of Savannah, charged in McNairy County where he’s accused of fraudulently using TennCare benefits to doctor shop for prescriptions for controlled substances. District Attorney General D. Michael Dunavant is prosecuting.
  • Leann J. Torres, 28, of Gallatin, charged in both Sumner and Wilson Counties with TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping – three counts in Wilson Co. and four counts of TennCare doctor shopping in Sumner Co. She also faces three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud in Wilson Co. District Attorney General Lawrence R. Whitley is prosecuting in Sumner Co. and in Wilson Co., District Attorney General Tom P. Thompson will prosecute.
  • Lorena Bennett, 44, of Lewisburg, is charged in Williamson County with three counts of TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping for the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone and three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
  • Vealia Fox, 62, of Fairview, is charged with TennCare fraud in Williamson County, where she’s accused of using TennCare to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone and later selling a portion of the drugs. District Attorney General Kim Helper will prosecute.
  • Katrina Bumphus, 35, of Savanah, is charged in McNairy County with two counts of TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.  District Attorney General D. Michael Dunavant will prosecute.
  • Valerie Casson, 29, of Cleveland, is charged in McMinn County with two counts of TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping. District Attorney General Stephen D. Crump will prosecute.
  • Paula Denise Story, also known as Paula Denise Richardson, 33, of Huntington, is charged in Carroll County with four counts of TennCare fraud involving doctor shopping for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare as payment. District Attorney General Matthew F. Stowe will prosecute.
  • Michelle D. Owen, 48, of Springfield, is charged in Robertson County with TennCare fraud and two counts of theft of services over $10,000. An indictment says Owen fraudulently reported to the state that her child was living in her home in order to obtain TennCare benefits for herself. District Attorney General John W. Carter will prosecute.

“Part of our continuing mission is to help preserve the integrity of the TennCare program,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “To that end, we will vigorously prosecuting anyone who uses or attempts to use the program for unlawful purposes.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  Theft of services over $10,000 is a Class C felony punishable by up to six years in prison.

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, more than 2,559 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 www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”