Advertisement Former Brix employee accused of $110,000 theft No word if case is linked to sudden closure of stores Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A man who worked for Brix is charged in Douglas County with stealing $110,000 from the wine and liquor purveyor in an alleged embezzlement scheme using gift cards. There is no word if the case had an impact on the decision to suddenly close the two Brix locations in Omaha Thursday. According to court documents, Brenton McLaurine, 29, was arrested in September, 2016 for felony theft by deception. He pleaded not guilty on December 29th. McLaurine was a former assistant manager at the Brix store at Village Pointe. A court affidavit alleges McLaurine stole $110,000 in cash and merchandise from March, 2015, to May, 2016. The store's general manager told investigators after investigating irregularities in tips, she discovered numerous charges and increases on one gift card totaling close to $30,000 in one day. After reviewing reports on all active gift cards, management found ten cards on which McLaurine allegedly added $113,577.09. According to the affidavit, Brix management believe McLaurine allegedly used a loophole inventory software that allowed the gift cards to be exploited. The gift card transactions took place under McLaurine's user profile at times when he was the only employee present at the store. During this same time, the affidavit indicates McLaurine made numerous cash deposits to his bank, totaling more than $59,000, that were not account for in his wage and income. According to court records, McLaurine faces two felony counts of theft by deception. This revelation follows the sudden closure of Brix stores at Midtown Crossing and Village Pointe. The founder of the stores issued a brief statement saying little more information will be available immediately about the closures. "Both Brix locations are currently closed as we work through the financial details of closing two operations of significant size," wrote founder and CEO Dan Matuszek in a statement. "We cannot provide any additional information at this time, but will do so immediately when available," said Matuszek. Matuszek also said Brix gift and wine cards will not be accepted at Grane, the craft cocktail bar at Midtown Crossing which Matuszek opened three years ago. "As much as we'd like to accept Brix gift cards and wine cards at Grane... the companies are run separately with two different operating systems for both gift cards and wine cards, so it's not feasible," wrote Matuszek. Grane remains open. Signs posted on the doors of the two Brix locations were the first word almost anyone had that Brix intended to cease operations. KETV Newswatch 7 spoke with several customers who had recently purchased wine or gift cards, or who had made reservations at the locations, left wondering if they will receive a refund. Efforts to speak with Matuszek directly have been unsuccessful.