Scott A. Taylor, a 50-year-old St. Louis County fossil company operator, has pled guilty to stealing $106,923 in Social Security disability benefits. Taylor, from Wellston, admitted in federal court to a felony charge of theft of government money after an investigation found he had falsely claimed disability benefits while overseeing a profitable business, Taylor Made Fossils, as per a recent statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri.
Despite receiving disability benefits since 1996, Taylor managed to actively handle a business that made cast or molded fossil recreations. Although his girlfriend was the registered business owner on paper, he was, in reality, running the show. His profits were anything but extinct, with the business pulling in anything from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars monthly since 2014, as stated by his plea agreement.
In a report completed on Oct. 1, 2023, Taylor claimed a myriad of physical disabilities, ranging from difficulty walking and standing to extreme pain, which purportedly made it dangerous for him to even leave his house alone. However, contrary to these claims, investigations revealed Taylor was capably moving about, handling business, and performing yard work unaided. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, during a review Taylor reported, "having difficulty walking, standing, concentrating, feeding himself, shopping, using his arms, managing money, seeing, hearing, speaking and caring for his hair."
It was not until the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General delved into Taylor's affairs that his scheme crumbled. His benefits were cut off, and now he faces up to ten years in prison, alongside a possible $250,000 fine. To just repay the stolen funds is also part of his sentencing, which is scheduled for December 9.
