Investigations
DOT-Approved Drug and Alcohol Screener and Nurse Sentenced for Falsifying Records
On March 21, 2018, Jo Carol White and Tonya Yawn-Lewis were sentenced in U.S. District Court, Augusta, Georgia, for falsifying DOT-mandated medical examinations of commercial driver’s license holders. White was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and a $3,000 fine. Yawn-Lewis was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and a $5,000 fine. Both individuals previously pleaded guilty to one count of falsification of records with intent to impede the proper administration of DOT.
The investigation revealed that White and Yawn-Lewis routinely falsified medical examination reports and medical examiner’s certificates. Yawn-Lewis is a nurse practitioner and, at the time of the offense, was an approved medical examiner on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from FMCSA.