A former executive at Taylor Farms allegedly masterminded a scheme to embezzle over $32 million from the fresh-food company to finance a lavish personal lifestyle. The allegations are detailed in a federal lawsuit filed by Taylor Farms against Brian Thure, who managed the company's Tennessee operations for approximately 14 years.
According to the lawsuit, Thure treated the company as a personal bank account, funneling millions of dollars through fraudulent invoices and a purported sham contractor. The funds were allegedly used to purchase a $5.5 million mansion in Hawaii, a 400-acre ranch in California, and to cover extensive personal spending, including "gambling and women."
Taylor Farms claims that Thure also placed numerous individuals on the company payroll for his personal benefit. These included family members, his personal chef, chauffeur, trainer, and an aquarium attendant. The lawsuit states that the company spent over $3 million employing individuals who performed exclusive personal services for Thure and his wife, Julie.
The alleged corporate looting was reportedly uncovered following an IRS audit of Taylor Fresh Foods, which prompted scrutiny of 1099 forms and questionable reimbursement practices at the Tennessee subsidiary. A subsequent internal investigation allegedly revealed dozens of fraudulent invoices and falsified expense reports, leading to the conclusion that Thure, his wife, and a contractor named James McPherson had conspired to steal millions over several years.
One of the primary alleged conduits for the stolen funds was a contractor identified as MTS Building and Electrical. While MTS reportedly performed about $400,000 in legitimate construction work in 2022, Taylor Farms claims Thure began submitting invoices for work that was never completed or not performed by MTS. These invoices were allegedly kept below a $50,000 threshold to avoid triggering greater scrutiny from corporate oversight. The company contends that Thure bypassed normal purchasing controls by directly submitting these invoices and demanding payment, with some accounting employees reportedly complying out of fear of termination.
Taylor Farms alleges it has Thure on recorded calls where he admitted to stealing company funds and discussed his extravagant personal spending. The company also claims Thure confessed to fraudulent misconduct and apologized in a voicemail to the CEO and in subsequent text messages to company representatives.
This lawsuit emerges as Taylor Farms is also at the center of a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis. Federal health officials have linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and processed or supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico. The outbreak has sickened thousands in 15 states and has been associated with at least two deaths, according to the CDC and FDA. While epidemiological evidence and supply-chain tracing point to Taylor Farms lettuce, no recalled product has tested positive for the parasite. The company did recall iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico following the federal investigation.