Linda Longley
Six people are charged with TennCare fraud in Knox, Blount and Hamilton counties. All but one of the cases involves prescription drugs; the other involves misrepresenting personal income in order to receive healthcare insurance benefits through TennCare.
The six arrests bring the total number of people arrested for TennCare fraud to 2,702 since the Office of Inspector General (OIG) began investigating and pursuing this criminal activity.
The six arrested in separate investigations are:
- Linda S. Longley, 58, of Chattanooga, who was a fugitive on the run for the last 12 months. She was indicted in Hamilton County in August of 2015 on six counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain the painkillers Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Tramadol by doctor shopping, which involves going to multiple doctors for drugs, using TennCare as payment.
- Martisha Large, 42, of Maryville, charged in Blount County with four counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain the painkillers Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Codeine and Tylenol 3 by doctor shopping for the drugs.
- Kelli S. Lee, 38, of Maryville, charged in Blount County with TennCare fraud and theft of services over $10,000. The indictment accuses her of failing to report her income and marriage to the state in order to be eligible for TennCare benefits.
- Jennifer Skurtu, also known as Jennifer Stinson, 53, of Knoxville, indicted in Knox County for ten counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain the painkillers Oxycodone and Hydrocodone by doctor shopping.
- Brandi Inman, 34, of Rockford, indicted in Knox County on six counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain the painkillers Hydrocodone and Oxycodone by doctor shopping.
- Pamela Goetsch, 47, of Knoxville, charged in Knox County with seven counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain the painkillers Oxycodone and Hydrocodone by doctor shopping.
“Tennessee’s hard working taxpayers have zero tolerance for TennCare fraud and abuse,” Inspector General Manny Tyndall said. “We are collaborating with law enforcement officers in all 95 counties to prosecute anyone we identify who is misusing TennCare benefits.”
As of July 1, TennCare fraud was changed to a Class D felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
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, 2,702 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 visit the website and follow prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.”