Lakeland woman accused of threatening ‘evil’ insurance company: ‘Delay, deny, depose. You people are next’

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.

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