Chattanooga Couple Face TennCare Charges
A husband and wife in Hamilton County are charged with TennCare fraud for using another person's TennCare benefits to pay for fraudulent prescriptions.
The Tennessee Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Danny Lewis, 40 and Mary Jo Lewis, 41, (also known as Mary Jo Hale, Mary Jo Lyda, or Mary Jo Peterson). Both are from Chattanooga.
Both are charged with one count of TennCare fraud. They are accused of presenting forged prescriptions for the painkiller hydrocodone, along with xanax - which is an anti-anxiety medication - and atenolol, a drug prescribed for hypertension. The drugs were written for another person, who has TennCare benefits.
The TennCare fraud charge against both could result in a two year sentence, if convicted. District Attorney General William H. Cox is prosecuting.
"We hope everyone is getting the message that we are serious about pursuing TennCare fraud, especially when members of a family are conspiring to get prescription drugs illegally," Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said.
