Weakley, Gibson Co. Residents Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Residents of Gibson and Weakley counties in northwest Tennessee are charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases, both involving prescription drugs.

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

• In Weakley County, Amanda Pope, 37, of Martin, is charged with 15 counts of TennCare fraud and 19 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Authorities say she used TennCare to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone, in both her name and the name of her boyfriend.
• Ashley Ditto, 29, of Yorkville in Gibson County is charged in nearby Weakley County with four counts of TennCare fraud. An indictment accuses her of using TennCare to obtain prescriptions for the painkiller Oxycodone, while failing to disclose to the doctor that she was pregnant.

District Attorney General Thomas A. Thomas is prosecuting both cases. As of July 1, 2016, TennCare fraud was changed to a Class D felony punishable by up to four 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, 2,726 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.”