Remember the saga of Reckless Ben’s quest to recover a $200,000 Star Wars Lego collection from Bricks & Minifigs? After months of legal wrangling and viral internet attention, a significant chapter has closed. While not a complete victory for everyone involved, a partial settlement has been reached between BAM Franchising and the Mansell family.
A Long Road to Resolution
As we previously reported, Reckless Ben’s viral battle to reclaim the Mansell family’s $200,000 Star Wars Lego collection from Bricks & Minifigs Franchising captivated the internet. The initial drama quickly devolved into complex legal proceedings, dimming the spotlight on the controversy and shifting focus towards formal legal channels. Once the temporary restraining order expired, the long-delayed third part of Reckless Ben’s investigation was released, although the “Mormon Mafia” angle initially captivating the internet took a backseat to Ben’s documentation of his legal battles in Utah’s courts.
Unfortunately for Ben, that segment of the legal battle remains ongoing. The lawsuit issued against Bricks & Minifigs Franchising on behalf of Chrystal Law Gorman, who previously owned the Keizer, Oregon store from which the Lego collection disappeared, is also still active.
Settlement Reached, But Not an End
However, one of the three ongoing legal fights has now concluded: BAM Franchising vs. the Mansell family. In a joint statement posted on Bricks & Minifigs Franchising’s website, attributed to “BAM Franchising, Inc., Ammon and Matt McNeff, Baker Salem, Josh Johnson, Brandon Best and the Mansell family,” the group announced that they have reached “a comprehensive and amicable resolution of a private civil dispute relating to the Mansell family’s LEGO Star Wars collection.”
The statement carefully avoids detailing the financial terms of the settlement. It also includes a crucial disclaimer: “This settlement is not an admission of liability, wrongdoing or unlawful conduct by BAM, the Mansells or any other released party.” Furthermore, it clarifies that the Mansell family’s “collection was originally consigned to a former operator of the Bricks & Minifigs Salem/Keizer Oregon store.”
This last point is significant because Chrystal Law Gorman, as reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, stated in an email that her lawsuit against BAM Franchising “is still moving forward and not affected by [the Mansells’] settlement agreement.” While Reckless Ben hasn’t publicly commented on the Mansell family’s resolution, it appears his ongoing lawsuit against BAM Franchising remains unaffected either.
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