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Former veteran Tenn. paramedic, supervisor arrested

Randy Lee Davidson was arrested for allegedly stealing doses of fentanyl and morphine and attempting to cover up the activity

By Gary Nelson
Crossville Chronicle

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. — A veteran paramedic, supervisor and trainer with more than 20 years of service to Cumberland County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department was arrested Tuesday after he was indicted by the Cumberland County Grand Jury Monday on a four-count true bill indictment for allegedly stealing doses of fentanyl and morphine and attempting to cover up the activity.

Randy Lee Davidson, 47, of Crossville was arrested and held under a $40,000 bond at the Cumberland County Justice Center.

The charges were alleged after an investigation by the Tennessee State Comptroller’s office. The findings of the investigation were turned over to 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway’s office and

on Aug. 17, 2016, at the request of Dunaway, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents began their investigation.

The charges allege Davidson, a former Cumberland County EMS paramedic supervisor and training officer, stole at least 79 single-dose vials of controlled substances for his own use.

Investigators in the case allege Davidson took 36 vials of the opioid pain reliever fentanyl and 43 vials of morphine from January 2015 through August 2016.

The investigation also alleges Davidson falsified more than 50 controlled substance administration documents to make it appear the drugs were legitimately used by other paramedics.

“In reviewing the reports prepared by the paramedics, however, investigators determined that the drugs had not been administered to patients. Mr. Davidson acknowledged to investigators that he had taken the controlled substances for his own use,” the comptroller’s report states.

Davidson was indicted by the Cumberland County Grand Jury on two counts of theft under $1,000, one count of official misconduct, and one count of forgery.

The Tennessee Comptroller’s report states, “In many instances, officials did not adequately review the primary document (the Controlled Substance Administration form) supervisors used for obtaining the pain relievers in question. The current form requires the signatures of the paramedic that administered the drug, a witness, and a supervisor. Some of the forms used to misappropriate narcotics included only the supervisor’s signature. Supervisors were able to obtain replacement controlled substances from inventory without proof that the drugs being replaced had been used. The supervisors were not required to turn in the empty vials of the drugs as evidence that the drugs had actually been administered. EMS officials did not maintain a perpetual inventory of controlled substances allowing officials to monitor, in real time, the use rate of all drugs in stock. EMS officials have indicated they have corrected or intend to correct these deficiencies.”

“Although this scheme was first identified by Cumberland County EMS, it went undetected for at least 20 months,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “I’m pleased to see that EMS officials are taking steps to review the forms that are used when controlled substances are administered. The signatures of the paramedic, supervisor and a witness should always be included.”

Davidson was employed with Cumberland County EMS from Sept. 16, 1994, until Aug. 15, 2016, when he resigned, according to his personnel file.

Davidson resigned after being placed on administrative leave without pay, according to his resignation letter.

“I Randy Lee Davidson would like to resign my position as paramedic supervisor/training officer effective immediately. As of of this date, Aug. 15, 2016. I willingly wish to end my employment with Cumberland County due to being placed on administrative leave without pay so I can draw my retirement out and still be able to pay my bills,” Davidson’s resignation letter states.

One month prior, in July 2016, the Cumberland County EMS department was honored by the American Heart Association and Stroke Association earning a Mission Lifeline Gold Achievement Award.

Davidson accepted the award with former Cumberland County Fire Chief and EMS Director Jeff Dodson.

The organization said Cumberland County EMS was only one of three in the state of Tennessee to earn the status.

With the EMS department Davidson was scheduled a minimum of 832 hours of overtime per year in addition to his regular time work schedule of 2,080 hours, as all EMS paramedics are scheduled.

According to records and personnel policies with Cumberland County EMS, Davidson would have been earning a minimum of $51,000 per year at the time of his resignation, more if he worked additional overtime.

Davidson faces arraignment in Cumberland County Criminal Court March 20.

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