Four People in Humphries Co. Charged with TennCare Drug Fraud

NASHVILLE, TN - Four people are charged with TennCare fraud in Humphreys County after an investigation that netted a total of seven individuals arrested on indictments involving prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests, which are the result of an investigation also involving McEwen and Waverly Police.

The four people charged with TennCare fraud are:

• Mary C. Enyeart, 42, of McEwen, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud, and 21 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.  Enyeart is accused of using TennCare benefits to obtain forged prescriptions for the painkillers Hydrocodone, Percocet, and Carisoprodol (sold as the brand drug Soma), the sedative Clonazepam (known by the brand name Klonopin), and Phentermine, an appetite suppressant and stimulant.
• Pamela Ellis, 41, of Waverly, charged with TennCare fraud in connection with using TennCare benefits to obtain the drug Adderall, which is usually used to regulate sleep and for attention deficit disorder.  Ellis is accused of selling a portion of the drugs.
• Larry Wayne Kilburn, Jr., 34, of McEwen, charged with TennCare fraud and two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.  Kilburn is accused of using TennCare benefits to pay for a fraudulent prescription for Albuterol, a drug used to treat asthma.  In addition, Kilburn acquired or attempted to acquire Clonazepam and Hydrocodone by means of forgery. 
• Donna Jean Kilburn, 54, of McEwen, charged with seven counts of TennCare fraud and eight counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud in connection with presenting fraudulent prescriptions in the names of other TennCare enrollees for Hydrocodone and Methocarbamol, a muscle relaxer, which were paid for by TennCare.

“McEwen and Waverly Police were key to building these cases and helping the OIG make these arrests,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said.  “This type of support is crucial to eliminating TennCare drug fraud.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General 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 $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,900 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."