TWO MEN INDICTED FOR TENNCARE PRESCRIPTION FRAUD

CHARGES INCLUDE IDENTITY THEFT

NASHVILLE – Two Davidson County men have been indicted on charges that include TennCare fraud and identity theft.

Ricky Leonard Swaner, 50, and Mark Allen Sullivant, 20 were arrested by Special Agents with the Office of Inspector General (OIG). A multiple-count indictment from the Davidson County Grand Jury accuses the two of TennCare fraud, identity theft and obtaining possession of controlled substances by fraud.

The indictment alleges that in January Ricky Swaner knowingly and unlawfully used a doctor’s identification to obtain prescription drugs by fraud. The indictment also accuses Swaner of four counts of obtaining prescription painkillers by fraud. Both Sullivant and Swaner face one count of TennCare fraud. Swaner is accused of using TennCare to obtain prescription drugs by means of a willfully false impersonation. Mark Sullivant allegedly helped Swaner by letting him use his TennCare card to pay for the fraudulent prescriptions.

“We may have a strong focus on prescription fraud in TennCare, but we’re watchful for all types of fraud,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “We intend to pursue any and all fraud leads in our investigations, and provide information to other law enforcement agencies for accompanying charges.”

Identity theft and controlled substance fraud are Class D felonies punishable by up to four years in prison. TennCare fraud is a Class E felony punishable by up to two years imprisonment. Swaner and Sullivant are being held in Davidson County Jail with bond set at $2500 each. District Attorney General Torry Johnson is prosecuting.

Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.Tennessee.gov/tenncare and follow the prompts that read “Report fraud now.”