Jared Fogle Accomplice Claims Psychological Abuse

New details emerge on Russell Taylor's relationship with 'Daddy'
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 5, 2015 4:51 PM CST
Jared Fogle Accomplice Claims Psychological Abuse
Russell Taylor   (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department via AP, File)

Documents filed Friday by the former head of Jared Fogle's foundation include a whole host of new details about the "psychologically abusive" relationship between the two that ended with Fogle sentenced to 15 years in prison for child pornography and Russell Taylor facing even more time on similar charges, the Indianapolis Star reports. "Mr. Fogle would refer to himself as Mr. Taylor's 'daddy' and there would be discussions of how much Taylor loved 'daddy' and reminding him that 'daddy' was paying for his things," the court filings state. The filings also claim Fogle was "cruel" to Taylor and would make him eat pizza and donuts even though Taylor was gluten intolerant, according to WRTV. Psychologists found Taylor has a "pervasive psychological dependence on other people."

Taylor's lawyers say Fogle's emotional abuse was a continuation of abuse he received as a child, the Star reports. The filings state Taylor's mother would strike him with everything from shoes to switches and that he was sexually abused during his childhood. According to the filings, Taylor wasn't allowed to go to college because his parents believed the rapture was imminent. And WRTV notes a passage that claims Taylor's father's friends would give him KISS trading cards to leave his sister's bedroom blinds open at night. The Star reports Taylor pleaded guilty to producing child pornography to give to Fogle. "Mr. Fogle maintained control over Mr. Taylor's job, owned the home Mr. Taylor was living in, and provided a lavish number of experiences," the filings state. "Mr. Fogle had the perfect person to carry out his sexually deviant pursuits." Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday. (More Jared Fogle stories.)

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