The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
Physical Therapist Faces Forgery Charges After Investigation By TBI
In October 2017, agents with TBI's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit started checking in to Dustin Rich on allegations of TennCare fraud. At the time the investigation began, Rich was employed as a physical therapist at a Clay County hospital. The TBI said agents learned that Rich was creating false documents and forging signatures of patients, causing TennCare to be frequently billed for services.
The investigation said that from January to May 2017, Rich fabricated summary notes of therapy visits he did not complete and forged signatures from his personal residence in Overton County. Rich is no longer working for the hospital.
On May 21, the Overton County Grandy Jury returned indictments charging Rich with four counts of forgery. Rich was taken into custody by TBI agents Friday.
He was booked into the Overton County Jail, then released on his own recognizance.
