Former Licensed Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to One Year in Prison

FRANKFORT, KY (April 11, 2006) – Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today that Tammy Shumate, 33, who was formerly an LPN at Northfield Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, was sentenced to one year in prison by the Jefferson Circuit Court for stealing medications prescribed for residents at the long-term care facility in Louisville.

On October 11, 2004, Tammy Shumate stole seven different medications prescribed for residents. Shumate entered a guilty plea on June 1, 2005 to one merged count of theft of a legend drug and was granted supervised pre-trial diversion.

The Court voided pre-trial diversion on February 17, 2006 based on Shumate’s violations of the terms of her supervision. Today the Court sentenced Shumate to one year in prison.

The investigation was conducted by Attorney General Stumbo’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division working closely with the staff at Northfield Centre for Health and Rehabilitation.

Suspected Medicaid fraud or patient abuse can be reported by calling the Attorney General’s tip line at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).