KNOXVILLE PHARMACY OWNERS FIND THEMSELVES IN LEGAL HOT WATER
In a shocking turn of events, two pharmacy owners from Knoxville, Tennessee, are facing serious allegations of healthcare fraud that’s claimed to have racked up a staggering $8.7 million! Tiffany Haney and Anne Warren, along with their business Rocky Hill Pharmacy LLC, have been indicted in an eight-count criminal charge. And now, the government is looking to seize some of their most beloved assets as part of the investigation.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
Federal prosecutors didn’t waste any time filing an extensive forfeiture list in U.S. District Court. The list outlines properties and assets that the government wants to claim from the pharmacy owners. Among the treasures the government is targeting is a stunning multi-story “cabin” tucked away in Sevier County, a brand-new 2024 GMC Sierra, a stylish 2023 Cadillac Escalade, and several properties scattered around Knoxville.
WOMEN PLEAD NOT GUILTY
Earlier this week, Haney and Warren made their appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill McCook. They wasted no time in pleading not guilty to the charges against them, which they assert are baseless. The indictment accuses them of committing some pretty serious crimes. Allegedly, they were tampering with prescriptions and submitting claims to various drug plans to pocket millions of dollars from the very system meant to provide care for patients.
ALLEGED CRIMES AND ASSETS
According to the indictment, these ladies didn’t just stop at altering prescriptions. They also reportedly forged prescriptions and made false statements. What’s more alarming is the claim that they used the names and National Provider Identification (NPI) numbers of other individuals without proper authority—a serious breach of trust in a field where safety should be the utmost priority.
The alleged fraudulent activities spanned from 2018 all the way through July of this year. The government is particularly interested in the Haneys’ cabin located on Blue Iris Way in Sevier County. Purchased in 2023 for an impressive $1.8 million, this lavish property is a central piece in the forfeiture list. Not too shabby for a “cabin,” right?
MORE PROPERTIES AND INVESTIGATIONS
But wait, that’s not all! The government also aims to seize the Haneys’ home on Braithwaite Lane in Knox County, which they bought in 2020 for around $800,000. Furthermore, they have their eyes set on another property owned by Anne Warren and her husband Craig Warren, located off Northshore Drive in West Knox County.
And in a twist that just keeps revealing more drama, the forfeiture list also includes various bank accounts, investment accounts held in both defendants’ names, and even two watercraft! Talk about a luxurious lifestyle during what appears to be possibly illegal activities!
WIDE-RANGING INVESTIGATION
The investigation has not been a small-scale affair. Multiple agencies have been involved, including the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Inspector General for the Department of Labor. When federal resources start gathering to investigate, you know things are serious!
As this case unfolds, the people of Knoxville are left watching, with mixed feelings of disbelief and concern. Can you imagine the impact this kind of fraud could have on the health care system and the lives of patients relying on it?
With the legal drama heating up, it will be interesting to see how this story develops. Will Haney and Warren be able to clear their names? Or does the evidence stacked against them signal the end of their pharmacy dreams? Keep an eye on this one folks, because it’s far from over!
