Montgomery County Woman Charged with 24 Counts of Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE – A Montgomery County woman has been charged in Stewart County with 24-counts of using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Stacia Jane Williams, 40, of Clarksville. Charges against her accuse Williams of calling in prescriptions to a local pharmacy for the painkiller Hydrocodone, anti-anxiety medications Alprazolam and Diazepam, and Phentermine, a stimulant.   Williams was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on unrelated charges once those charges were disposed of, she was transported to the Stewart County Jail, where she was served with the indictment. 

“We are working with local police and providers to help us get this kind of activity out of the TennCare program,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “We’re committed to eliminating the incidence of people fraudulently obtaining drugs and letting TennCare pick up the tab.”

Penalties for the charges against Williams is a Class D felony if convicted she could served up to fours years in prison per charge.  District Attorney Dan M. Alsobrooks is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,100 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."