The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced the conviction of Emily Hannum, a 30-year-old woman originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, now residing in Georgia. Hannum was found guilty of Theft of Services for inaccurately claiming residency in Tennessee and custody of her child to unlawfully receive TennCare benefits. Her misrepresentation allowed her access to benefits she would not have qualified for had she reported her true circumstances—living in Georgia and not having custody of her child.
The court has sentenced Hannum to six years of supervised probation under the Tennessee Department of Correction. Additionally, she is required to repay the full amount of $19,453.81 to TennCare, along with a 5% administrative fee. The prosecution was led by Knox County District Attorney General Charme P. Allen.
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Inspector General Chad D. Holman emphasized the importance of truthful declarations when applying for TennCare benefits, noting that residency in Tennessee is a fundamental requirement. Hannum’s actions resulted in a financial loss to taxpayers amounting to approximately $20,000.
TennCare’s OIG encourages the public to report any suspected fraud through their Cash for Tips Program, which offers rewards for tips leading to convictions. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-433-3982, emailing Tenncare.Fraud@tn.gov, or visiting the Office of Inspector General website.
Source: Read Original Release