Controversy Timeline

Bryan Mansell and his father reportedly placed a large LEGO Star Wars collection with the Bricks & Minifigs Salem-Keizer, Oregon store under a consignment arrangement. Reporting describes the alleged arrangement as the store selling items for a commission while ownership stayed with the Mansell family until sale.

The Salem-Keizer store reportedly promoted a large Star Wars LEGO inventory, with reporting citing descriptions of the collection as worth “well over $200,000.”

BAM later claimed the former franchisee had been selling the collection “for over a year” and that POS records showed more than $50,000 of similar inventory sold during that period.

BAM says Mansell acknowledged in writing that some sets had been moved to an “offsite secure location,” and BAM says it never had access to that location.

The store ownership/franchise dispute escalated. Reporting says former operators Chrystal Law and Robert Gorman claimed they were abruptly forced out during a transition involving BAM corporate and incoming ownership.

Techdirt’s legal-analysis coverage says BAM’s later lawsuit claims BAM issued a “Notice of Immediate Termination” and repossessed the Salem LLC store on or after November 14, 2024, citing defaults and unpaid obligations.

Reporting says Mansell formally terminated the consignment agreement after alleged missed payments and being denied access to inspect remaining inventory.

BAM says it learned of the prior consignment only after ownership changed, reviewed limited documentation, compared it to inventory, and found that the full collection was not in the store. BAM says it offered to return identifiable items but that the offer was refused.

Public valuation figures diverged sharply. BAM says remaining possibly related Star Wars items were worth roughly $2,000–$5,000, while viral claims generally used $100,000–$200,000 figures. BAM also says later documentation supported a lower total collection range of $60,000–$80,000.

Techdirt reports that a legal demand letter was sent to BAM alleging damage from the franchise termination. BAM allegedly responded on January 10, 2025, denying the claims.

Techdirt reports that Law/Gorman and their LLC filed a Utah Chancery Court lawsuit against BAM-related parties. Their theory, as summarized by Techdirt, is that BAM’s own failures around bank account/lease transfer caused the payment/default issues BAM later relied on.

Reckless Ben’s videos pushed the dispute into national/internet attention, accusing BAM/store-related parties of improperly withholding the collection and documenting confrontations, attempted service, police interactions, trespass notices, searches, and arrests.

BAM published “A Note to Our Community about the Bricks & Minifigs® Salem, OR Store.” BAM said corporate was not party to the alleged consignment agreement, did not approve it, and that consignment agreements were prohibited under franchise rules.

Kotaku covered Reckless Ben’s campaign, describing an attempt to recover an allegedly stolen $200,000 LEGO collection and noting the increasingly surreal nature of the dispute.

Dexerto reported that the dispute had grown into lawsuits, police investigations, and a viral YouTube series. It also reported that Keizer police said the matter remained under investigation with the Marion County DA’s Office.

BAM’s May 21 public note was updated for “additional clarity.”

BAM released a longer statement titled “Response to Customer Inquiries Regarding Bricks & Minifigs Salem, Oregon: Clarity and Resolution of an Isolated and Former Franchisee’s Private Civil Dispute.” BAM denied corporate or incoming franchisees stole the collection, said only a small number of related sets were found, said most of the collection had been sold or moved, and said the viral backlash led to threats, harassment, and temporary closure.

The Salem-Keizer location reportedly closed at least temporarily. Dexerto cited Statesman Journal photos of signage saying “Closed until further notice. BAM Corporate.”

BAM filed a broad lawsuit against Reckless Ben / Ben Schneider, Bryan Mansell, and others. Techdirt describes the complaint as including civil RICO-style allegations and claims related to harassment, extortion, and disparagement.

Brick Fanatics reported Schneider had filed small-claims actions tied to the dispute and claimed certain defendants did not respond, resulting in default judgment in his favor.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the feud had spawned lawsuits, arrests, and Utah charges of stalking and trespassing.

Legal commentary continued, including Techdirt’s June 2 analysis arguing that nearly everyone involved should have consulted lawyers earlier. Techdirt highlighted competing lawsuits, misdemeanor charges against Schneider, and the possibility of Oregon criminal charges against someone over the collection.