NASHVILLE -- A Greene County man is charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription drug medication paid for by TennCare.

The state's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced the arrest of Tracy D. Williams, 61, of Greeneville. The Third Judicial Drug Task Force and the Greene County Sheriff's Office assisted in the arrest.

An indictment in Greene County accuses Williams of fraudulently obtaining TennCare medical assistance by going to a TennCare provider for the prescription painkillers MS Contin, which is a time-released version of morphine; along with Kadian, a generic version of morphine, and the painkiller Lortab, while intending to resell at least part of these prescription drugs. Williams used his TennCare benefits to pay for the drugs.

"The abuse of TennCare benefits will not be tolerated," Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. "Local police departments, sheriffs' officers, pharmacists, and other medical providers are all working together in the war against TennCare fraud -- and we have the tools to pursue these cases as well as laws on the books to prosecute with."

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison. District Attorney C. Berkley Bell is prosecuting.

The OIG, a law enforcement agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of more than 760 individuals for TennCare fraud, with nearly $1 million paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $122 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."