Jared Fogle speaks at Project Subway in New York in 2014. He’s been accused of sending text messages about having sex with a 16-year-old. (Getty)
Jared Fogle admitted in a text message that he had sex with a minor that he found on Craigslist, according to a former Subway franchisee. The woman also claimed that Fogle, a former Subway spokesman, suggested she sell herself for sex on Craigslist. Fogle’s house was raided by the FBI and local law enforcement on July 7 in connection with a child pornography investigation. Subway suspended its relationship with Fogle and removed all mention of him from Subways stores and its website.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. In the Texts, Fogle Talked About Paying to Have ‘Amazing’ Sex with a 16-Year-Old
Former Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle attended a Los Angeles Premiere and Party for Disney•Pixar’s INSIDE OUT in 2015. He has since been let go by Subway due to a pornography investigation. (Getty)
The former franchisee, who has not been named, said the text conversations went on between January 2008 and June 2008, Business Insider reported. She was in a sexual relationship with Fogle, and Fogle often brought up underage women. In June 2008, Fogle and the woman were talking about Craigslist when the woman asked him in a text if it was the same website where he found the 16-year-old girl that he only paid $100 to have sex with. Fogle responded: “It was amazing!” The age of consent in Indiana, where Fogle lived, is 16.
According to Business Insider, which read the affidavit, the woman asked Fogle which part of the ad made him realize the girl was selling sex and Fogle texted back: “U will have to read them to see.”
In the affidavit, Fogle had asked the woman previously if he could meet her underage cousin. He was very insistent and texted about wanting to talk to her on May 1, 2008, finally texting on May 2:
Any more news about your cousin? Tell me what u think about when u think of the three of us all together???
2. Fogle Encouraged the Woman to Advertise Herself on Craigslist
Jared Fogle attends the Bud Light Hotel Playboy Party in 2011. He’s been accused of texting about having sex with a minor and encouraging a Subway franchisee to sell herself for sex. (Getty)
Fogle wasn’t only interested in having sex with an underage girl, according to Business Insider. He also texted the woman he was in a relationship with about advertising herself on Craigslist for sex. He suggested that he could watch and said she could probably make $500 for each meeting. The woman became increasingly uncomfortable with their conversations and eventually approached Subway about her concerns, Business Insider reported.
3. The FBI Has Subpoenaed an Affidavit About the Texts
Fogle and Taylor pictured together on Facebook.
The FBI has issued a subpoena for the affidavit that contains the texts, Business Insider reported. A court reporter recorded the messages from the franchisee’s phone in 2008 and a notary witness verified them. A phone number in the affidavit was registered to Fogle. Business Insider viewed the affidavit and verified its authenticity.
Meanwhile, the child pornography case against Russell Taylor, an employee of Fogle’s The Jared Foundation, continues. The Jared Foundation focuses on helping children eat better and exercise more. Taylor headed The Jared Foundation and was arrested in April for child pornography, USA Today reported. Prosecutors have requested another delay in the grand jury case in order for them to gather more evidence, USA Today reported. They requested an extension from August 3 to August 19. Taylor’s attorney did not oppose the delay.
4. Subway Has Called the News Appalling, Although It Previously Determined There Were No Violations
Subway has stated officially that it finds the news about Fogle appalling. However, the franchisee claimed that she went to Subway management at the time the texts occurred in 2008 and nothing was done, according to Business Insider. She told Subway that Fogle should not be interacting with young people and his merchandising shouldn’t be in their stores, according to her attorney. Subway, meanwhile, has stated it has no record of any complaint. The woman’s lawyer told Business Insider that Subway determined at the time that there were no violations because Fogle was not an actual employee of Subway.
5. Fogle Has Not Been Charged, But Subway Let Fogle Go After His Home Was Searched in July
Jared Fogle at a NASCAR event in 2003. Subway has let Fogle go for his potential connection a child pornography investigation. (Getty)
Fogle has not yet been charged with anything. His home was searched by the FBI and local police on July 7, but he was not arrested. The raid was in connection with Russell Taylor’s child pornography investigation. Subway let Fogle go the same day the raid on his home occurred. Fogle was a former spokesman for Subway after losing more than 200 pounds on a Subway-only diet. According to New York Daily News, Fogle has a net worth of $15 million. He may have brought in one-third to one-half of Subway’s profits in the last 15 years, Business Insider reported.
