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Read comments (2)Christine A. Sullenger, 28, of Shelbyville is being prosecuted by Coffee County District Attorney Mickey Layne, according to the state Office of Inspector General. Sullenger's arrest was a result of joint efforts by the Bedford and Coffee counties' sheriff's departments.
If Sullenger receives the maximum punishment for the crimes she could be incarcerated for six years. She was indicted on charges of TennCare fraud and attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.
"Hydrocodone abuse is a huge problem for law enforcement in Tennessee, but with the help of local officers and providers, we are waging war on prescription drug fraud of any kind in TennCare," Inspector Genera Deborah Y. Faulkner said.
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 600 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 recent figures.
Cash rewards are paid for tips that lead to convictions on TennCare fraud charges. The TennCare fraud tip-line number is (800) 433-3982. Information may also be provided by going to www.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and following links to "Report TennCare Fraud."
"We appreciate the providers, local law enforcement officials and citizens who provide us with valuable information in our efforts to identify and prosecute TennCare fraud," Faulkner said.
I hear ya... I have done the same thing. People cheating the system and we are having to pay for it. If you are truly in need of it, which does not mean young healthy people than it should be available for you. I have turned in several people that are getting it and have told me that they lied to get it all they do is lie to them again when they are questioned about this.
I reported someone almost a year ago and the only thing that was done was she was takin off tenncare.Her husban could have had her on his INS.She got tenncare by lying about her last name and saying she wasnt married.So what the OIG is saying is you can lie to get tenncare just dont lie to to get pills or you will be arrested!!!If you turn someone in who has been cheating tenncare they should be treated just like MS Sullenger no matter if they was getting pills or not!!!Why doesnt the OIG go after all the people cheating tenncare insted of just the ones who are getting drugs?Isnt getting servies such as doctors visits the same? Well I called the OIG and they didnt have a anwser why she wasnt arrested.I gave them plenty of reason why she should have been.If you try turning someone in for fraud its just a waist of time if the OIG isnt going to do anything about it!!!