Two Mid-State Residents Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Residents of Davidson and Bedford Counties are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases, both involving prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests of Mary W. Gray, 36, of Old Hickory and Sonya Marie Leverette, 31, of Shelbyville.

Leverette is charged with three counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by doctor shopping for prescriptions, using TennCare as payment. District Attorney General Robert Carter will prosecute this case.

In the other mid-state arrest, Mary W. Gray is charged with one count of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance by doctor shopping. District Attorney General Lawrence R. Whitley will prosecute this 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.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. 

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, 2,612 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

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.”