Four Charged with TennCare Fraud in Dekalb County

NASHVILLE, TN – Four people in DeKalb County are charged with TennCare fraud, after an undercover operation involving prescription drugs that were paid for by the state’s Medicaid program.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office today announced the arrests.

“We dedicate our time and resources to tracking tips and participating in undercover operations to stop people who are trying to commit prescription drug fraud and using TennCare benefits to traffic these drugs,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. 

The four arrested are each charged with TennCare fraud:

• Kenneth Bain, 59, of Smithville, charged in connection with using TennCare benefits to purchase the painkiller Morphine and later selling a portion of the drug to an undercover informant.
• Michael Saylors, 35, of Smithville, accused of using TennCare to obtain the painkiller hydrocodone and later selling a portion to an undercover informant.
• Jackie Blake Sanders, 30, of Smithville, charged with using TennCare to obtain a prescription for the painkiller Oxycodone and later selling it to an undercover informant.
• Lisa Martin-Ray also known as Lisa Lue Summers, 41, of Smithville, accused of using TennCare benefits to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone and later selling a portion to an undercover agent.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Randall A. York 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, 2,083 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."