NEWS

Jared Fogle sues former foundation leader over unpaid loan

Tim Evans and Mark Alesia
Pictured is the home at the center of former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle's lawsuit against ex-Jared Foundation leader Russell Taylor regarding a defaulted loan.

The Indianapolis home where authorities say some child pornography images were secretly recorded is the subject of a lawsuit filed on behalf of former Subway sandwich pitchman Jared Fogle.

Fogle alleges that Russell C. Taylor, a one-time friend who headed Fogle’s charitable foundation, defaulted on an agreement to repay a 2014 loan Taylor used to buy the home in Wayne Township.

Authorities say Taylor, who faces child pornography charges, secretly filmed children, ages 9 to 16, changing clothes, showering and bathing in the home.

Fogle’s lawsuit filed last week in Marion Superior Court came just days after the 37-year-old agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography and traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, crimes that will land him in prison for at least five years and possibly much longer.

The shocking criminal case against Fogle grew out of an investigation into Taylor, who was arrested April 29. Authorities said information developed in the federal case against Taylor, including the images filmed in the Far-Westside home, led them to Fogle.

Russ Taylor (left) and Jared Fogle spoke March 20, 2014, with children in Fort Smith, Arkansas, about obesity.

Now, the two former friends who often traveled together on foundation business — and who, according to court records, allegedly shared an interest in child pornography and young girls — are set to square off in another courtroom.

Fogle says Taylor failed to repay the $191,000 loan he gave Taylor in March 2014 to buy the home in the 1300 block of Salem Creek Boulevard.

Fogle says Taylor has failed since May to make monthly payments of $850, as outlined in a land contract dated March 10, 2014, according to the lawsuit. The total due on the loan as of Aug. 17 was $184,400.

The loan default coincides with Taylor’s incarceration following his arrest. The lawsuit says Taylor is believed to be incarcerated in a federal prison in Kentucky, but Taylor’s name does not show up in online federal prison records.

Fogle’s lawsuit also names Taylor’s estranged wife, Angela Taylor. Fogle also asks that the court put his claim ahead of those of several other creditors who also may have claims against Angela or Russell Taylor.

Russell Taylor signed the home over to his wife on June 2. That action came one day after Taylor filed a hand-written motion in another Marion Superior Court seeking to dismiss a divorce petition he filed against Angela Taylor in February.

Marion County property records do not show Fogle’s name associated with the home. They show Taylor buying the house from another individual on March 19, 2014, for $192,000. Records also show Taylor transferred the home to Angela Taylor for no money.

The home is listed for sale for $187,000.

Reporter Kristine Guerra contributed to this story. Contact Tim Evans at (317) -444-6204 and follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim