A woman in Lakeland, Florida has been charged with making “threats” to her insurance company when she said the words “Delay, Deny, Depose” and “you people are next” over the phone, according to a new report from local TV news station WLFA and the Lakeland Police Department.
Briana Boston, 42, had recently been denied medical insurance claims from BlueCross BlueShield, according to an affidavit provided to Gizmodo by Lakeland Police, though the details of her case were not laid out in the document. The local police were contacted by the FBI about Boston’s call and the affidavit, signed by Brian Purdy, states that he “believes there is sufficient probable cause to charge Boston with Threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.”
From the affidavit:
Your affiant asked Boston if she used the phrase “Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next.” during her call earlier today with BlueCross BlueShield to which she acknowledged she said it and apologized. Boston stated she used those words because it’s what is in the news right now. Boston advised she learned of the phrase because of the current events regarding the UnitedHeathcare homicide. Boston stated she did not own any firearms, and she was not a danger to anyone. Boston further stated the healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil.
The words Boston allegedly used in her phone call with Bluecross Blueshied, “delay, deny, depose,” are similar to the 2010 book Delay Deny Defend by Jay M. Feinman, which describes how the insurance industry tries to avoid paying for medical treatments. The words are also similar to those found on bullet casings near the body of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, who was shot and killed in New York last week. However, news reports indicate the words there were slightly different, including “deny, defend, and depose.”
The UnitedHealth homicide investigation has sparked a national discussion about the cruelty of America’s healthcare system and the ways that insurance companies work to deny coverage to increase their profits. It’s also inspired a lot of online jokes and celebrations from people who believe whoever killed the CEO may have been justified in the slaying.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old who’s been arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and is fighting extradition to New York where he’s been charged with killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. Mangione was picked up by police at a McDonald’s and allegedly had a 3D-printed gun as well as what police have characterized as a “manifesto.” The note, which was leaked online, reportedly said the insurance companies “continue to abuse our country for immense profit” and referred to the “corruption and greed” of that industry.
Boston, who’s a married mother of three, had her bond set by an unnamed judge at $100,000, according to WFLA, and has never been charged or convicted of anything in her life.
“I do find that the bond of $100,000 is appropriate considering the status of our country at this point,” the judge reportedly said.
English (US) ·