A resident of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Brenda Stewart, has been convicted of TennCare fraud, according to an announcement by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The 29-year-old, who was living in Robertson County at the time of the offense, was found guilty of one count of TennCare fraud for falsely claiming she had custody of her son, a status she did not hold. This false claim allowed her to unlawfully access TennCare benefits which she would not have qualified for otherwise.
Stewart has been sentenced to three years of supervised probation with the Tennessee Department of Correction. Additionally, she is required to pay $5,000 in restitution to TennCare, along with a 5% clerk’s fee. The case was prosecuted by Robertson County District Attorney General Robert J. Nash, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Ann M. Kroeger.
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Inspector General Chad D. Holman emphasized the importance of accurate reporting by TennCare recipients to maintain the integrity of the program. He stated that Stewart’s actions resulted in a loss of over $22,000 for the Division of TennCare, which could have supported other eligible recipients.
The OIG encourages Tennesseans to report any suspected TennCare fraud. Individuals can receive cash rewards for tips that lead to convictions through the OIG Cash for Tips Program. Reports can be made by calling 1-800-433-3982, emailing Tenncare.Fraud@tn.gov, or visiting the Office of Inspector General website.
Source: Read Original Release