HHSC Deputy Inspector General Arrested on DWI Charge

Jack Stick, a former Austin state representative, past municipal judge and current deputy inspector general for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, was arrested Sept. 11 and charged with driving while intoxicated, according to incident reports obtained from the Austin Police Department.

HHSC spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman confirmed the arrest.

"He notified his boss of the situation immediately and that he had taken a blood test," Goodman said. "At this time, we’re still awaiting those test results. Once we get the results, we’ll decide if any personnel action is necessary."

Added Stick in a statement: “Although I appreciate the caution exercised by the officer, I am confident blood test results and other evidence will vindicate me.”

The APD incident report says Stick was arrested in downtown Austin at 10:44 p.m. after leaving a steakhouse.

Stick, who has been with HHSC's Office of Inspector General since last year, has helped oversee a spike in Medicaid fraud cases that has won glowing reviews from state lawmakers and cast Texas’ innovative enforcement team into the national spotlight.  

But the strategies he has helped employ, including increased reliance on a rule that allows investigators to freeze financing for any health care provider accused of overbilling, have angered doctors, dentists and other providers who treat Medicaid patients.