Updated July 19, 2019

State Senator Joey Hensley has been accused by state medical officials of prescribing controlled substances to a clinic employee and his family members.

The physician, who represents Giles County  and four other counties in the General Assembly, was charged by the Tennessee Department of Health before the Board of Medical Examiners in June.

The veteran legislator, said earlier this year  that he will run for re-election for a third term in 2020, was accused of writing unethical prescriptions between December 2014 and March 2015.  

The charges against Hensley were not criminal, but he faces the possibility of fines and having his medical license disciplined.

Hensley said he will contest the allegations during a medical examiner board meeting Sept. 19.

The senator  owns and operates The Hensley Clinic in Hohenwald and is a member of the Maury Regional Medical Center ancillary staff.

Maury County Hospital officials said  Hensley is not an employee of Maury Regional Health and does not see patients at their hospitals, and only  provides coverage for Lewis Health Center infrequently on an as-needed basis.

Hensley started his legislative career in the state House of Representatives and was first elected in 2002 and served five terms until running for the state Senate in 2012.