Former Taylor Farms exec accused of lavish spending on Hawaii mansion, gambling and women

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 pe...