Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill that requires all people seeking welfare take mandatory drug tests. Interestingly, it turns out Scott has a younger brother who receives welfare and seems to have a history of drug charges.
A joint effort by our sister papers New Times Broward-Palm Beach and the Dallas Observer shows that 54-year-old Roger Scott lives in a modest two-bedroom apartment in Dallas, Texas. He doesn't work and lives off social security checks. A Roger Scott with the same birthday and personal information has been charged with numerous crimes, including drug possession.
Roger told an Observer reporter that he's close to his governor brother but doesn't get to talk to him much.
Governor Scott said that instituting the drug-tests-for-welfare policy would "increase personal responsibility" and "personal accountability."
Though, Roger Scott's situation might not be a cut-and-dried case of a man who's necessarily giving up all responsibility and has decided to suckle on the teat of social security for the heck of it.
Reporter Victoria Bekiempis also contacted Scott's mother, Esther. She says Roger has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggles to keep up with his treatments.
Although Roger was the only member of the Scott family not present at the governor's inauguration, the two apparently still keep in touch. The walls of Roger's apartment are full of newspaper clippings about his brother, and he claims his multimillionaire sibling helps him out from time to time by paying his utility bills and hospital visits.
[The Juice: Gov. Rick Scott Wants to Drug-Test Welfare Recipients, Including His Little Brother
]
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
