A Hamilton County man has pleaded guilty in connection with TennCare fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the conviction of 29-year old Verdas D. Johnson, who was accused of fraudulently obtaining the painkiller Hydrocodone and naproxen sodium, a prescription form of a much milder painkiller.

Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of TennCare fraud and one count of obtaining controlled substance by fraud. He was sentenced to one year supervised probation for each TennCare fraud charge and two years supervised probation for the obtaining controlled substance by fraud. District Attorney General William Cox prosecuted.

The OIG, an agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 400 individuals for TennCare fraud, with over $700,000 paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $75 million, according to latest figures.

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.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud".