Lynch Charged with TennCare Fraud

March 25, 2021
By:

A Smithville man is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced that 34-year old Grant Lynch is charged in Putnam County, his former residence. Both charges are class D felonies. Investigators allege that Lynch reported to the state that he had custody of his child so that the child would be eligible for TennCare. As a result, TennCare paid approximately $2,800 in fees and claims on behalf of the child.

“Providing false information in order to receive TennCare benefits will not be tolerated in the state of Tennessee,” Inspector General Kim Harmon said. “Our agency works diligently to save both state and federal Medicaid dollars from being stolen.”

The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway of Putnam County.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated more than 5,760 criminal cases leading to more than $10.8 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, 3,105 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
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 or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read “Report TennCare fraud.”

March 25, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The woman who suffered severe burns in an early morning fire Sunday at her 319 Jackson Street residence has died according to Smithville Police.

60 year old Shelia Dowell passed away Tuesday at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. The family has chosen a direct cremation and no funeral service or visitation will be held.

The fire started in Dowell’s side of the duplex of the Smithville Housing Authority and spread to an adjoining dwelling at 321 Jackson Street at 4:41 a.m. Sunday. Dowell was helped from the residence during the fire by neighbors and bystanders and transported to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by DeKalb EMS. She was later airlifted by helicopter to Vanderbilt Hospital. Two dogs inside the Dowell residence perished in the blaze.

Both dwellings were destroyed in the fire. A man, woman, and child at the 321 address escaped unharmed and firefighters were able to rescue their cat.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.

March 25, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s share of local option sales tax collections for February 2021 eclipsed those for the same month in 2020 by more than $50,000 according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. For the county and the four cities therein combined collections were up by almost $112,000.

In his monthly report on local option sales tax collections, County Mayor Tim Stribling informed the county commission Monday night that DeKalb County brought in $116, 027 in February, 2021 compared to $64,901 for February, 2020.

All four cities within DeKalb County also hauled in more local option sales tax revenue as well. The comparisons between the two months for each municipality are as follows :

Smithville: $299,506 ( February, 2021), $245,197 (February 2020)

Alexandria: $26,072 (February, 2021), $23,303 (February 2020)

Dowelltown: $3,027 (February, 2021), $1,480 (February 2020)

Liberty: $8,208 (February, 2021), $5,970 (February 2020)

NET COLLECTIONS (LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX): $452,842 (February 2021), $340, 857 (February 2020)

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