Benjamin Gorman puts Bricks & Minifigs inventory mystery in spotlight amid Coffeezilla LEGO controversy
Benjamin Gorman says a missing document could become one of the most important pieces of a growing dispute over bricks and minifigures. The former Salem, Ore., franchise owner claims Bricks & Minifigs (BAM) never provided a complete inventory list after taking control of the store, despite allegedly promising to provide one. The case continues to gain traction online following an investigation by YouTube users Reckless Ben and Coffeezilla.The controversy first came to attention over issues surrounding the Star Wars LEGO collectibles commissioned by Brian Mansell and his father. Coffeezilla later reviewed the case and said the number of LEGO bricks still missing may be much smaller than many initially thought. At the same time, he said Mansell may still be owed large sums of money from the sale, money that allegedly was not properly disbursed. Now, Gorman and former partner Crystal Law say the focus is turning to what happened when BAM took over the Salem store and what was actually stored in the store at the time.
Benjamin Gorman says Bricks & Minifigs never delivered promised inventory
In a recent YouTube video, Benjamin Gorman thanked Coffeezilla for bringing more attention to what he calls the “Salem Lego Experiment.” He said the growing attention has helped them launch a legal fundraising campaign that has raised more than $80,000.According to Gorman, BAM promised to provide a detailed inventory list the night it took over the store. He said the inventory is important because the franchise agreement will allow the previous owner to challenge the numbers through an independent evaluator.Gorman also claimed that BAM did not use impartial business representatives in the evaluation process. Instead, he claimed that Brandon Best, who later ran the store with Joshua Johnson, was involved in the store’s property appraisal. Gorman argued that this created a conflict of interest because the two men had allegedly been told they could buy the store.
Crystal Law firm challenges takeover claim in Salem Lego dispute
In a four-hour podcast, Crystal Rowe and Benjamin Gorman discuss their thoughts on the store takeover. They said Brandon Best drove a rented U-Haul truck to the store on Nov. 14, 2024, and argued that a later explanation of the vehicle raised more questions.Law and Gorman also claim that after BAM took over, they lost access to important records, including emails, insurance documents, tax records and point-of-sale information. Law said some of Brian Mansell’s items had been sold shortly before the acquisition, but had not yet been fully reconciled because she wanted to update the records and pay him during a future visit.The former owners also rejected BAM’s claims that they were abandoning the business. Law said they did not sign documents transferring ownership or terminating the franchise agreement. She further claimed that BAM never properly transferred the store lease and later cited lease issues as part of the reason for taking control.BAM disputes many of the allegations. The company previously said Law and Gorman entered into an unauthorized consignment agreement with Mansell and said company records show sales of the collection exceeded $52,000 during the time they owned it.
