SALT LAKE CITY — Utah-based Lego reseller Bricks and Minifigs announced it is parting ways with franchise owners who were connected to a viral YouTube video series that followed an alleged botched consignment of a collection worth thousands in value.
Details on franchise owner separation
According to a press release from the company, franchise owners Brandon Best and Joshua Johnson entered a “mutual agreement to part ways” following a series of viral videos released by YouTuber Benjamin Schneider, also known as “Reckless Ben.” The video series included a chase that led Schneider to Utah to track down the owners.
Impact of social media campaign
The reseller characterized the videos as “a devastating social media campaign.”
Oregon store location closure
The reseller said it would also be closing its Salem, Oregon, store location, where the consignment of the collection is said to have taken place.
Findings of internal investigation
A press release by the reseller said internal investigations found “significant evidence of gross negligence in how the store was previously operated by the prior owner, as well as operational gaps during the transition and the subsequent management of document recovery.”
According to the press release, investigators found three different sets of financial records kept by the Oregon store related to the collection that was allegedly stolen.
This story will be updated.
