two blount county men plead guilty to tenncare fraud

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the conviction of Robert Eric Stine, 30, and a plea agreement involving 47-year old Ryan D. Hutson, both of Maryville. 

Stine was accused of selling the painkiller hydrocodone to an undercover agent; the medication that had been obtained by Hutson who used TennCare to pay for a physician's office visit where he obtained the prescription for the drug. 

"The illegal trafficking of TennCare drugs is a problem across the state, and we simply will not tolerate it," Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. "TennCare enrollees who participate in selling drugs paid for by TennCare - or through a doctor's visit paid for by TennCare - should understand this is a serious crime we intend to prosecute."

Stine was sentenced to three years for the delivery of a Schedule III drug, two years for TennCare fraud and an additional 11 months 29 days for simple possession.  He was ordered by the court to pay $2,750 in fines.

Hutson pleaded guilty to one count of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of TennCare fraud.  He was granted Judicial Diversion and given four years supervised probation.   The judgment against him will be suspended pending completion of probation.  If he successfully completes probation all charges will be dismissed.

The OIG, an agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 400 individuals for TennCare fraud, with over $700,000 paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $75 million, according to latest figures. 

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 TennCare Fraud."