ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County man has been accused of fraudulently seeking disability benefits, just five years after being sentenced for a similar crime.
Scott A. Taylor, 50, is still on probation from a prior disability fraud case. The new indictment, on one count of making a false statement, accuses him of applying for Social Security disability benefits on January 28, 2026, claiming that he had not worked since 1993. The indictment says Taylor has been self-employed since 2014.
A charge set forth in an indictment is merely an accusation and does not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Taylor’s disability benefits were initially discontinued after an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Taylor pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in September to one felony count of theft of government money. He admitted opening Taylor Made Fossils, which made fossil recreations, after having been granted disability benefits. Taylor’s plea agreement says that while he repeatedly falsely claimed to be too disabled to work or perform many normal daily activities, he carried large or heavy objects, did yard work and walked normally while unassisted.
On December 9, 2025, he was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to repay $106,923 to the Social Security Administration.
“Individuals who exploit disability programs for personal gain undermine critical support intended for those who truly need it,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Chancellor Melvin, SSA OIG, Chicago Field Division. “Our office remains committed to identifying and investigating fraud, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of Social Security programs and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
The National Fraud Enforcement Division is committed to zealously investigating and prosecuting those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.
Taylor’s current indictment was investigated by the SSA-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolene Taaffe.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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