TennCare Fraud 'Most Wanted' Captured

NASHVILLE –  A woman on the “Most Wanted” list for TennCare fraud has been located and charged with TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General, in a joint effort with the Montgomery County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s department, today announced that 26-year-old Torliquia H. Walker has been located and booked on charges of TennCare fraud and theft of services. She was indicted in January of 2020 and was on the OIG most wanted list for two years. Investigators say she continued to use TennCare benefits even though she no longer lived in Tennessee and was residing in Kentucky, never reporting to the state she had moved so she could remain on TennCare. As a result, TennCare paid more than $7,871.00 in fees and claims.

"The Office of Inspector General frequently investigates allegations of TennCare fraud committed by those who reside outside of the State of Tennessee,” Inspector General Chad Holman said.  “Our ‘most wanted’ list is an excellent resource for the general public to provide information on the whereabouts of people that we are actively looking for.”

TennCare fraud theft of services are class D felonies. The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney Robert J. Nash serving Montgomery and Robertson Counties.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has identified and investigated more than 130,349 potential fraud cases leading to more than $9.2 million being repaid to TennCare.  In the last year ending June 30, 2021, total estimated cost avoidance was more than $7.5 million. TennCare's budget is comprised of 65 percent federal and 35 percent state dollars. To date, 3,162 people of been charged with TennCare fraud.

The OIG’s “Most Wanted” list can be located online at https://www.tn.gov/finance/fa-oig/fa-oig-most-wanted.html. Anyone with information about a wanted subject is urged to use the contact information on the page.

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 or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read “Report TennCare fraud.”