Taylor Farms Tennessee ex-president accused of stealing $32M from company

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Taylor Fresh Foods has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the former president of its Tennessee subsidiary, his wife and two others of orchestrating a yearslong fraud scheme that allegedly stole more than $32 million from the company.

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Taylor Fresh Foods filed the federal lawsuit at the beginning of June, 2026, accusing the former president of its Tennessee subsidiary, his wife and two others of orchestrating a yearslong fraud scheme that allegedly stole more than $32 million from the company.

According to the complaint, Brian Thure served as president of Taylor Farms Tennessee from about 2012 until March 2026 and allegedly used his authority over finances, payroll, vendors and accounting to divert company money for personal benefit.

Taylor Farms claims the alleged fraud came to light during an IRS audit and an internal investigation in 2025. This audit alleges that this scheme occurred over several years.

The lawsuit also alleges Brian Thure secretly placed his wife, his mother-in-law, his sister-in-law and several personal employees, including a chef, chauffeur, personal trainer and handyman, on the company’s payroll without authorization, costing Taylor Farms Tennessee approximately $6 million in wages and benefits

Taylor Fresh Foods alleges the defendants used company funds to finance luxury purchases and personal projects, including a $5.5 million home in Hawaii, a 400-acre ranch in Humboldt County, California, and approximately $1 million to establish the “Brian and Julie Thure Right Tackle Endowment” at the University of California, Berkeley.

According to the lawsuit, Brian Thure played football at Berkeley before joining the NFL’s Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders.

According to the lawsuit, Thure confessed during a recorded phone call with a Taylor Farms Food representative on March 16, 2026, that he stole money from Taylor Farms Tennessee and discussed spending company funds on gambling and women.

On April 8, 2026, the lawsuit alleges Thure left a voicemail for Taylor Fresh Foods CEO Bruce Taylor apologizing for his conduct and later acknowledged his actions in text messages to company representatives.

The company is seeking more than $32 million in compensatory damages, restitution, punitive damages and other relief.

The allegations have not been proven in court.