Jun 30, 2017 2 min read

A candidate for Donora Council this week waived charges he used a mafia scheme to bilk a retired schoolteacher out of $159,000 to Lancaster County Court.

Yancey Darnell Taylor, 45, chose not to have a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge David P. Miller on charges of theft by deception and theft by extortion filed by the state attorney general’s office, online court records show.

Taylor was arrested May 30 on accusations he stole the money from Karen Fedrow, a longtime educator from Lancaster, while leading her to believe she would face retaliation from the mafia if she didn’t give him money, bilking the 69-year-old woman out of her life’s savings between February and August 2013. Prosecutors said he gambled away the money, including at visits to The Meadows Casino in North Strabane Township.

The prosecution claims he told the woman she’d earn money and receive guaranteed earnings in his investment opportunities, but that she was required to pay fees to “the Boss.”

The two had met in 2012 when she rented a home she inherited in Westmorland County to Taylor, who was once a standout basketball player at Ringgold High School. He had gained her trust by recovering funds that were owned to her by a former tenant. The victim described Taylor as being charming.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at the time of the arrest that other victims of Taylor “may be out there.”

Taylor intends to enter a not guilty plea and seek a jury trial, said his attorney, Corky Goldstein of Harrisburg.

He received the most votes in the primary in the race for Donora Council. He is among five people seeking four seats on council in the November election.

Goldstein said Taylor would not be able to serve on council if he is convicted of the two felony charges.

Taylor also has asked to meet with the prosecutors to “give a full statement,” Goldstein said.

He is scheduled to appear in Lancaster County Court for a formal arraignment on the charges at 9 a.m. July 28.