Three Davidson Co. Residents Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three people from Davidson County, including a husband and wife, are charged with TennCare fraud. All three cases involve prescription drug fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with assistance from Metro Nashville Police, today announced the arrest of Jeff Fitih, 39 and Amanda Fitih, 37, both of Madison.  He is charged with two counts of TennCare fraud and two counts of delivery of the painkiller Oxymorphone, which is a Schedule II controlled substance.  Jeff and Amanda are also charged together in an indictment for TennCare fraud and sale and delivery of the painkillers Morphine and Oxycodone.

In a separate case in Williamson County, Marsha Ann Cox, 41, of Nashville is charged with TennCare fraud for using TennCare benefits to obtain Oxycodone and later selling a portion to a confidential informant.

“All hard-working, law-abiding taxpayers in Tennessee have zero tolerance for TennCare fraud and abuse, especially when it comes to selling prescription drugs purchased with state money,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are collaborating with law enforcement officers in all 95 counties to lock up anyone we identify who is involved in prescription drug abuse, particularly those who misuse their TennCare benefits.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Glenn Funk will be prosecuting the Davidson County cases and District Attorney General Kim Helper will be prosecuting the Williamson County case.

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, 2,631 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 visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”