Eight Charged With TennCare Fraud

Eight people from three different counties, including one from the NewsChannel 9 area, have been arrested for TennCare fraud. The arrests also include three in Wilson County that were part of an undercover investigation last December involving people selling their prescription drugs which were paid for by TennCare.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests - which bring to 655 the number of people charged with TennCare fraud since the agency began full operations.

"We remain committed to winning the war against TennCare fraud, and we've been especially focused when it comes to drug fraud," Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. "The OIG is aggressively investigating illegal prescription cases across the state and we are prosecuting every case we find where people have abused this important program."

The OIG, with the assistance of the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, South Pittsburg Police Department and the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, announced the arrests of:

• Amy Lynn Stansberry, 31, of Chapmansboro, charged with seven counts of TennCare fraud, seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, and three counts of aiding and abetting another person to fraudulently obtain a controlled substance. Stansberry is accused of aiding two others who are among those arrested.
  
• Robbie Jeannine Mangrum, 43, of Ashland City, was indicted on two counts of obtaining a controlled substance - the painkiller Lortab - by fraud. Mangrum also unlawfully aided or attempted to aid Amy Stansberry to fraudulently obtain a controlled substance.
  
• Michelle Evett Anderson, 31, of Ashland City, was indicted for one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.
  
• Amanda Diane Rigsby, 26, of Ashland City, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud and two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Rigsby is accused of twice presenting forged prescriptions to a local pharmacy for the painkiller Hydrocodone using another person's TennCare to pay for them.
  
• Vicki A. Hookey, 40, of Marion County, has been indicted on one count of TennCare fraud. Hookey is accused of obtaining a prescription for the painkiller Hydrocodone by means of a false statement and using TennCare to pay for the prescription.
  
• Sherry Diane Pruitte, 34, of Lebanon, was arrested for two counts of unlawful selling of a controlled substance. Pruitte sold a quantity of the painkiller Lortab to an undercover agent of the Wilson County Sheriff's office.
  
• Tammy Michelle Moore, 39, of Lebanon, was arrested for sale of a legend drug. Moore sold a quantity of Flexeril, a prescription muscle relaxer, to an undercover agent of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office.
  
• Mary Jean Mitchell, 29, of Red Boiling Springs, was arrested for one count of TennCare fraud, two counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance, failure to appear, violation of probation and driving on revoked licensed. Mitchell is accused of twice presenting a pharmacy with forged prescriptions for the painkiller Hydrocodone, using TennCare to pay for the prescriptions.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. Obtaining or attempting to obtain possession of a controlled substance is a Class D felony carrying a sentence of up to four years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Dan M. Alsobrooks will prosecute the four Chetham County Cases. District Attorney J. Michael Taylor will handle the Marion County case and District Attorney Tom P. Thompson will prosecute the Wilson County cases.

The OIG, a law enforcement agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 655 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."