Franklin Agent Scott Rolin, 56, Jailed for Stealing $100K from Elderly Widow

Scott Rolin, 56, of Franklin, Tenn., is headed to federal prison after admitting to looting over $100,000 from an elderly widow he was supposed to protect. The former insurance agent was sentenced to 18 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr., capping a years-long betrayal of trust that drained a vulnerable client’s life savings.

Rolin, owner of Steele Rolin Co., sold two annuity policies worth more than $175,000 to the woman in 2010. She was a retired U.S. Postal Service employee, widowed and trusting — exactly the kind of client predators like Rolin exploit. Instead of safeguarding her finances, he weaponized their relationship, visiting her home, showing up at family events, and even calling her “mother” — all while plotting to steal from her.

Between 2011 and 2015, Rolin siphoned off more than $100,000 through a calculated fraud scheme. He submitted fake disbursement requests to the annuity issuer, forged the victim’s signature on checks, and deposited the stolen funds into his personal and business accounts. The withdrawals were unauthorized, hidden, and repeated — a slow bleed of cash that went unnoticed for years.

United States Attorney David Rivera didn’t mince words: “Rolin used his position of trust to exploit a vulnerable woman and steal her life savings.” Rivera emphasized that elder victimization won’t be tolerated, vowing that such crimes “will be thoroughly investigated, swiftly prosecuted and fairly punished.” The 18-month sentence reflects the severity of the violation — not just of the law, but of basic human decency.

The FBI led the investigation, unraveling Rolin’s paper trail of forged documents and fraudulent transfers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis prosecuted the case, building airtight evidence from Rolin’s own guilty plea and sentencing hearing testimony. No excuses were accepted — just accountability.

This case is a grim reminder: predators don’t always wear masks. Sometimes, they wear suits, sell insurance, and send Mother’s Day cards. For the victim, the damage is lasting. For Scott Rolin, the price is prison — 18 months of it — and a permanent mark as a fraudster who preyed on the elderly.

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