Before its recent distribution of produce contaminated with cyclospora and salmonella, Taylor Farms filed a lawsuit against former executive Brian Thure, alleging more than $32 million was embezzled for unauthorized purchases including a $1 million endowment for the Cal football team. According to the lawsuit filed in June, Thure and his wife, Julie Thure, embezzled $32 million over five years by moving money through the alleged “sham entity” MTS Building and Electrical. Taylor Farms accused James McPherson, who is also named as a defendant alongside the couple and MTS, of operating the entity to aid Thure and his wife in receiving and dispersing funds. Thure established the “Brian and Julie Thure Right Tackle Endowment” for Cal football, which the lawsuit alleges was funded by $1 million in stolen company funds, along with other lavish purchases. Taylor Farms also claims that $400,000 in remaining liability related to this gift remains on the Thures’ personal balance sheet. Read mo...