Cumberland Co. Man Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Cumberland County man is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with selling prescription drugs he obtained using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Crossville Police Department, today announced the arrest of James Wilson, 57, of Crossville. He is charged with using TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, and then selling a portion of the drugs on multiple occasions. Wilson is charged with four counts of TennCare fraud, four counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance and four counts of sale of a Schedule II controlled substance.

“We appreciate local law enforcement’s collaboration in working TennCare fraud cases,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “TennCare benefits should never be used to fund the opioid crisis in Tennessee.”

District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway is prosecuting.  TennCare fraud is a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison per charge.  The sale and delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance carries a sentence of six years in prison per charge.

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 by logging on to http://www.tn.gov/OIG and following the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”