Knoxville — Christina A. Boosalis, 50, of Knoxville, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance fraud this morning and was sentenced to two years' probation.
According to Boosalis, to be guilty of this crime, she accepted 50 prescription tablets from Katheryne Jean Todd prior to leaving for a vacation between Feb. 12, 2010, and March 8, 2012. She said she accepted the tablets, only to expect that Todd would write her a new prescription, upon Boosalis' return, that would include the excess tablets. Boosalis would then obtain the pills with the prescription, and return the 50 "loaned" to Todd.
"I assumed she would just write a bigger script," Boosalis told Judge Martha Mertz in Marion County District Court. Boosalis said she knew this would be billed to her insurance, which constitutes fraud.
"The details hadn't been worked out," Boosalis said. Todd apparently tried to fill a prescription she had written for Boosalis while Boosalis was gone. Boosalis said she was unaware that Todd planned to do this.
"I didn't know she was going to try to fill a prescription," Boosalis said.
Assistant County Attorney Tiffany Kragnes told Mertz that the State had reached an agreement with Boosalis and her attorney, Jim Cook, in exchange for the guilty plea. The agreement indicated that the State would recommend a deferred judgment, two years' probation and the dropping of a controlled substance violation charge.
After accepting Boosalis' guilty plea, Mertz followed the plea agreement. If Boosalis successfully completes her probation, this case will be expunged from her record.
"My client is a longtime resident of this area," Cook said. "She has never been in trouble before."
In addition to the probation, Boosalis was ordered to pay court costs, a $750 civil penalty and her probation supervision fees. Boosalis had posted a $15,000 cash bond previously, and her attorney indicated that her financial obligations to the court would be paid today.
Mertz told Boosalis to be sure to follow the rules of her probation. If Boosalis is unsuccessful, the deferred judgment could be revoked and she could face up to five years in prison.
"The court believes this will give you the maximum opportunity for rehabilitation," Mertz said.
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
