LAKELAND, Fla. — A Florida woman was arrested after law enforcement said she threatened an insurance company using the same words found on bullet casings in the UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder.
According to an arrest affidavit from Lakeland police, on Dec. 10 42-year-old Briana Boston called BlueCross BlueShield about recently denied medical insurance claims.
Near the end of the recorded call, Boston reportedly said, "Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next."
After the phone conversation, the FBI was alerted, who in turn spoke with Lakeland police about the possible threat.
"Delay, Deny, Depose" is the exact phrase found on bullet casings found at the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder last week in Manhattan.
The affidavit said the words "became a nationally recognized phrase directed against insurance companies."
After learning about the alleged threat, police said they went to speak with Boston at her home about the conversation.
Boston was reportedly asked if she used the phrase, "Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next" during her call earlier that day with BlueCross BlueShield. She confirmed she said those words and reportedly apologised.
She went on to say she used those words because "it's what is in the news right now," and said she learned the phrase because of the ongoing coverage of the UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder, the affidavit said.
Boston reportedly told police she doesn't own any guns and isn't a danger to anyone. The affidavit also stated Boston said that "healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil."
Police said that based on the recorded statement Boston made to BlueCross BlueShield and "current events," it was believed "these statements were meant to threaten the insurance company by using the UnitedHealthcare CEO's homicide to her advantage."
Because of this, Boston was arrested and charged with written threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.
