This browser does not support the Video element.
Lakeland woman arrested for insurance threat
FOX 13's Evyn Moon reports on a Lakeland woman who police say was upset over a denied insurance claim, leading her to threaten a UnitedHealth care worker with the phrase ‘delay, deny, depose. You people are next," which was used by the alleged murderer of the UnitedHealth care CEO.
LAKELAND, Fla. - A Lakeland woman who police say was upset over a denied insurance claim was arrested after police say she made threats against Blue Cross Blue Shield.
According to the Lakeland Police Department, in a recorded call with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Briana Boston was heard saying, ‘Delay, deny, depose. You people are next.'
Police say she made that statement during a call about recent medical claims that were denied.
"Delay, Deny, Depose"
The phrase, "Deny, delay, depose," began trending last week after those words were found on shell casings from bullets used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he walked to a conference in New York City.
The Three D’s of the insurance industry
The apparent messages found on the bullets could be a reference to tactics that legal experts say the insurance industry uses to avoid paying claims.
Insurance critics call these the ‘Three D’s’ – delay, deny and defend – referring to insurers delaying payment on healthcare claims, denying claims and defending their actions.
Briana Boston is accused of threatening Blue Cross Blue Shield by saying," ‘Delay, deny, depose. You people are next" during a call about her denied medical insurance claim. Image is courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Police investigate Blue Cross Blue Shield threat
When police went to her Lakeland home, they said she admitted to making the statement and apologized.
Boston said she used those words because they are in the news now, adding that she learned of the phrase because of the events surrounding the murder of a UnitedHealthcare CEO.
According to an arrest affidavit, Boston said healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil.
She also told police she did not own any firearms and was not a danger to anyone.
Woman charged with threatening Blue Cross Blue Shield
The officer who went to Boston’s home said, based on current events, he believed her statement was meant to threaten the insurance company using the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s homicide to her advantage.
Boston was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism. FOX 13 spoke with a lawyer who said the charges against Boston are too extreme.
"I think it's an overcharge. In reality, there's nothing in her communication that specifically says she's going to commit a mass shooting," said attorney Anthony Rickman. "I think it more falls on the free speech line, on protected speech. Although stupid, although ignorant, something you shouldn't say, the law allows you to say stupid, ignorant things, and even violent things, as long as it's not what's considered a true threat."
Rickman likened Boston’s angry phone call with what thousands of Americans are posting on social media this week.
"It’s political hyperbole. If you post something stupid on Twitter, and it's read by somebody who may work for some company, and they're taking it as a threat, then are we going to go and arrest every person on Twitter, because they say stupid things?" Rickman questioned. "This case is like that. It's somebody who talked to an individual she doesn't know, has never met, has never even spoken to and said words that a lot of people are uttering on social media."
This browser does not support the Video element.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter