A Wellston man has admitted to stealing over $100,000 in Social Security disability benefits while operating a fossil recreation business. Scott A. Taylor, 50, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of theft of government money.
Taylor was initially granted disability benefits on September 5, 1996. According to his plea agreement, he later began running Taylor Made Fossils, a company that produces cast or molded fossil recreations. Although the business paperwork was under his girlfriend’s name, Taylor managed the operation and oversaw its activities. Records show that since 2014, the business earned income ranging from several hundred dollars to tens of thousands per month in all but three months.
On October 1, 2023, Taylor submitted a continuing disability review report where he claimed significant limitations such as difficulty walking, standing, concentrating, feeding himself, shopping, using his arms, managing money, seeing, hearing, speaking and caring for his hair. He also stated that his vision problems caused him to walk into people and objects and fall down stairs frequently; that he was in constant pain; could not feel his hands or feet; found normal items too heavy to lift; and it was dangerous for him to leave home alone.
Despite these claims of severe impairment, authorities determined that Taylor had been seen carrying large or heavy objects, performing yard work, using a cell phone and walking normally without assistance or accompaniment. Later in October 2023, Taylor falsely reported having no wages or employment since 1997.
On November 1 of the same year, he repeated similar false statements about his physical limitations on another function report.
Following an investigation by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Taylor’s disability benefits were discontinued. The investigation concluded that Taylor stole a total of $106,923.
Taylor is scheduled for sentencing on December 9. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. He will also be required to repay the stolen funds.
The SSA-OIG conducted the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll prosecuting the case.
