Taylor Farms has sued the former president of its Tennessee subsidiary, claiming he stole more than $32 million to fund a lavish lifestyle.
The produce company alleges in a civil lawsuit that Brian Thure spent company money on unauthorized purchases, including multiple homes and an endowment at the University of California, Berkeley, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. Thure served as president of Taylor Farms Tennessee from 2012 until March 2026, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit names Thure, his wife, Julie Thure, James McPherson, and MTS Building and Electrical as defendants. The suit alleges McPherson helped the couple funnel stolen money through MTS Building and Electrical, which it describes as a "sham" contracting firm.
USA TODAY reached out to representatives for the defendants for comment.
The lawsuit, originally filed in a Tennessee federal court in June, is unrelated to the nationwide outbreak that health officials have linked to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.
What does the lawsuit claim?
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants participated in a "multi-year fraudulent scheme" that saw Brian Thure use fraudulent vendor charges, reimbursements, and use of company credit cards for his own gain.
It also alleges that Brian Thure put his wife and other family members on the company's payroll to collect about $3 million in "unauthorized salaries and bonuses."
The Thures allegedly purchased a $5.5 million home in Hawaii, a $1.5 million, 400-acre ranch in Humboldt, California, that they developed at the cost of "millions of additional dollars," and a $300,000 home in Covington, Kentucky. Julie Thure donated the Hawaii home to the Middle Tennessee Christian School for fundraising purposes, according to the lawsuit.
Brian Thure fraudulently hired personal service workers through Taylor Farms, including a personal chef, personal driver, handyman, personal trainer, aquarium and maintenance attendant, the lawsuit alleges.
The couple is also accused of using $1 million in company funds for the "Brian and Julie Thure Right Tackle Endowment" at the University of California, Berkley, where Brian Thure played college football. According to the lawsuit, a news release about the endowment has been removed from the school's website, and there is about "$400,000 in remaining liability" remaining on the couple's balance sheet tied to the gift.
Brian Thure allegedly bribed employees to "remain silent about irregularities for his personal benefit," the lawsuit alleges.
The company said it became aware of the alleged scheme following a 2025 IRS audit and subsequent investigation. Taylor Farms alleges that Brian Thune confessed to the scheme in a March 16 phone call with company officials and again confessed and apologized for his actions in an April 8 voicemail to Taylor Farms Chief Executive Officer Bruce Taylor.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taylor Farms sues former executive, claims $32 million theft
