GREENE CO. WOMAN ARRESTED AGAIN FOR TENNCARE FRAUD

NASHVILLE, TN - A Greene County woman is charged for the second time in a month with TennCare prescription drug fraud.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Ora Lee Shelton, 31, of Chuckey. Shelton is accused of attempting to fill a forged prescription for the painkiller Hydrocodone and paying for it with TennCare benefits. She faces one count each of TennCare fraud and attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

"Our continuing mission is to prevent fraud and abuse in TennCare, and prescription drug abuse is a centerpiece of that battle,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. "We will vigorously prosecute anyone who abuses or attempts to abuse the program."

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. Obtaining controlled substances by fraud is a Class D felony that carries a sentence of up to four years in prison. District Attorney General C. Berkley Bell is prosecuting.

Shelton was arrested in mid-November and charged for attempting to fill forged prescriptions for the Hydrocodone and Valium, and paying for the drugs with TennCare. She was charged with three counts each of TennCare fraud and attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

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.”