QuickTake:

The U.S. Department of Justice and Oregon Department of Justice have highlighted the case as part of their efforts to identify healthcare fraud.

A 44-year-old former Lane County worker has been accused of theft and healthcare fraud in connection with their former job, according to court records and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Amanda Joy Booth Thorne has been charged in Lane County Circuit Court with aggravated identity theft, two counts of making a false claim for healthcare payment, and two counts of first-degree theft.

Thorne is alleged to have misused a county procurement card issued for developmental disabilities services clients on 10 or more separate occasions between April and August of 2025, according to charging documents.

The documents also allege Thorne made healthcare claims in September 2024 and April 2025 “that contained a false statement or false representation of a material fact.”

Each count of first-degree theft involved a theft of $1,000 or more, according to the charging documents.

The U.S. Department of Justice listed the charges against Thorne as part of an effort labeled by the federal agency as a “National Health Care Fraud Takedown.” 

In a statement on the federal Department of Justice’s website, Thorne is alleged to have used the government-issued card for their “own personal expenses, including paying rent and making a down payment on a car.”

Devon Ashbridge, a spokesperson for Lane County, declined to answer questions Monday about how long Thorne worked for the county and their exact role. Lookout Eugene-Springfield has filed requests under Oregon’s public records law seeking employment records.

“Please know that Lane County has no tolerance for the misuse of public funds and takes such accusations seriously,” Ashbridge said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Justice identified Thorne as a Tigard resident, but a letter advising them of a scheduled July 8 court appearance listed Thorne as living in Portland.

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is prosecuting the case. The investigation began with a referral from the Oregon Health Authority, an Oregon Department of Justice spokesperson said.

Three-quarters of the Medicaid fraud unit’s funding is coming from a $6.54 million federal grant, according to the Oregon Department of Justice, with state money also used.