Nashville, TN – A Cheatham County man is charged with TennCare fraud in connection with the sale of prescription drugs paid for by the state’s health care insurance program.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), with the assistance of the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office, today announced the arrest of David Lee Weaks, 51, of Ashland City.
“Selling prescription drugs to others will get a person on the radar of local authorities, and when TennCare is involved, we pursue charges,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “Using taxpayer money to finance an illegal prescription drug operation is not a smart business move in any part of Tennessee.”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General W. Ray Crouch, Jr. is prosecuting.
The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, 2,621 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1.800.433.3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”
