A former Tennessee boss for Taylor Farms — recently in the headlines for links to the disgusting outbreak of diarrhea-causing cyclosporiasis — allegedly stole more than $32 million from the fresh-food giant in a sprawling scheme that bankrolled a $5.5 million Hawaii mansion, a 400-acre California ranch and lavish spending on “gambling and women,” according to an explosive federal lawsuit.
Brian Thure, who ran Taylor Farms Tennessee for roughly 14 years, allegedly treated the company like a personal piggy bank — putting family members, his chef, chauffeur, personal trainer and even an aquarium attendant on the payroll while funneling millions through bogus expenses and an alleged sham contractor, Taylor Farms claims.
The blockbuster allegations come as the company is at the center of a massive multistate cyclospora outbreak linked by federal health officials to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and processed or supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.
The outbreak has so far sickened thousands of people in 15 states, hospitalized at least 278, and was associated with two deaths in Michigan, according to the CDC and FDA.
Federal investigators have attributed the outbreak to Taylor Farms lettuce through epidemiological evidence and supply-chain traceback, although no recalled Taylor product has been confirmed positive for the parasite.
Thure’s alleged corporate looting was uncovered after an IRS audit of Taylor Fresh Foods prompted scrutiny of 1099 forms and questionable reimbursement practices at the Tennessee subsidiary, according to the June 5 complaint filed in Nashville federal court.
A subsequent investigation allegedly uncovered “dozens of fraudulent invoices, falsified expense reports, and other documentary evidence” and concluded that Thure, his wife, Julie, contractor James McPherson and others had conspired to steal more than $32 million over several years.
Taylor claims the company spent more than $3 million employing people who exclusively performed personal services for Brian and Julie Thure.
Their personal chef allegedly cost Taylor about $493,484, while their chauffeur cost around $563,341.
A personal trainer and pool maintenance worker allegedly cost another $381,331, while an aquarium maintenance attendant racked up approximately $452,273 on the Taylor payroll, according to the complaint.
A friend of Julie Thure who worked for her private Bear Clover Consulting business allegedly received about $996,070 from Taylor Farms Tennessee despite working for Julie rather than the company.
Taylor Farms claims it even has Thure on tape admitting he stole from the company.
During a recorded March 16 call with corporate representatives, Thure allegedly admitted stealing Taylor funds and discussed his penchant for extravagant personal spending on “gambling and women,” according to the complaint. He did not elaborate, according to the suit.
On April 8, Thure allegedly left Taylor Fresh Foods CEO Bruce Taylor a voicemail in which he “confessed to and apologized for his fraudulent misconduct,” the company claims.
He subsequently admitted his guilt in text messages to company representatives, according to the lawsuit.
One of the largest alleged pipelines for the stolen cash was a purported contractor called MTS Building and Electrical.
Taylor acknowledges MTS performed roughly $400,000 of legitimate construction work for its Tennessee operation in 2022.
But afterward, Thure allegedly began submitting MTS invoices for work that either was never performed or wasn’t performed by MTS.
The invoices were typically between $35,000 and $45,000 — deliberately below a $50,000 threshold that would trigger greater scrutiny from Taylor’s corporate overseers, according to the suit.
Thure allegedly bypassed normal purchasing controls by personally handing MTS invoices to accounts-payable employees, telling them how to code the bills and demanding payment when employees asked questions.
Taylor claims frightened accounting workers processed suspicious invoices because they believed Thure would fire them if they refused.
Altogether, Taylor Farms Tennessee allegedly paid MTS more than $12 million.
The Post has sought comment from Brian and Julie Thure, James McPherson and Taylor Farms.