FLORIDA MAN CHARGED WITH TENNCARE FRAUD

ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT RESIDENCY

NASHVILLE, TN – A Florida man is charged today with misrepresenting his residency in order to obtain TennCare benefits during the time the program was open to adults who are not Medicaid-eligible.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), an agency separate from the TennCare bureau, today announced the arrest of Monteray Sharp, 55, who turned himself in at the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Sharp, who lives in Wilton Manors, Florida is charged with falsely claiming to be a New Tazewell resident in order to qualify for TennCare, and obtaining benefits he was not eligible for, valued at up to $60,000.

“We will prosecute anyone we find who misrepresents their income, address or employment to gain TennCare benefits,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “Although TennCare has been reformed so that eligibility is much tighter, Tennessee taxpayers made it clear to us they want to see people prosecuted, especially for lying about residency to get TennCare benefits.”

Bond for Sharp was set at $10,000 dollars. District Attorney General Paul Phillips is prosecuting. If convicted Sharp could face one to two years for TennCare fraud and three to six years for theft of services.

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 Fraud Now.”