A Chattanooga pastor and former UTC basketball star, Ricky Lee Taylor Jr., is facing serious federal charges, including wire fraud and tax evasion. Taylor, who previously played professional basketball in Europe, is accused of submitting fraudulent applications for COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and evading taxes.
In 2021, Taylor allegedly operated several businesses under different names, including Potter’s Wheel Trucking, Ricky Taylor Basketball, and Arena of Praise, to apply for and receive approximately $1.8 million in COVID relief funds. Authorities claim these loan applications were fraudulent, as they exaggerated payrolls and employee numbers.
Authorities discovered that Taylor reported only $72,484 in income for 2021, while his actual earnings were over $1.8 million, leading to a significant tax deficiency of $620,674. Taylor has been charged with multiple offenses, and his case highlights the potential for abuse in pandemic relief programs.
Pastor Ricky Taylor is the founder of Arena of Praise Church and operates Ricky Taylor Basketball, a ministry that combines basketball training with the message of Christianity. Taylor’s legacy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) as a basketball player is noteworthy, having scored over 1,200 points during his time with the Mocs.
His arrest is a major development in a case that exemplifies the risks of fraudulent activities tied to COVID relief funds. Authorities are continuing to investigate, and Taylor is expected to face federal charges in court soon.