A former nurse in Williamson County has been indicted on multiple charges, including impersonating a licensed professional and fraudulently obtaining controlled substances, following a months-long investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Authorities say Elizabeth Rainwater, 54, surrendered her Registered Nurse license in August 2024 as part of a plea deal but continued working at a Franklin nursing home until September 10. Investigators allege that during those weeks, Rainwater diverted controlled substances — including opioids — from patients in the facility.
The investigation began November 15, 2024, after the Tennessee Department of Health tipped off TBI’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division. On June 4, 2025, a Williamson County Grand Jury indicted Rainwater on one count of Impersonating a Licensed Professional and 19 counts of Fraudulent Obtaining a Controlled Substance.
Rainwater was arrested September 5 by TBI special agents with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Smyrna Police Department. She was booked into the Williamson County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are only accusations and Rainwater is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
TBI noted its Medicaid Fraud Control Division receives 75% of its funding — nearly $9 million — from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with the remainder provided by the State of Tennessee.
