Indictment imminent in PVW theft

[Kyjd75]

It appears that an indictment is now imminent in the 2013 theft of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and rye. Here's a link to the article: http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Man-accused-of-stealing-bourbon-barrels-appears-in-court-299598971.html

And, if this has already been posted and I missed it, then Mr. Moderator, please cancel this post.

[mark fleetwood]

"High-ranking" employees it says. I'm putting $10 down on Mark Brown himself. (Just kidding... I don't have $10.)

[dcbt]

Looks like 9 people were indicted today:

http://www.lex18.com/story/28857854/sheriffs-officials-seeking-at-least-9-indictments-in-bourbon-heist

[jbutler]

Yesterday, I was telling my wife that wrecking a Ferrari Enzo was a sure way to get your name on the front page of the NYT. Looks like Julian has got his bourbon brand into a similar state of notice (not wrecked!). Interesting.

[unclebunk]

Just saw this article myself regarding the indictments and can't imagine how they managed to steal entire barrels, not just bottles of Pappy, without being caught. Crazy fools!

https://www.yahoo.com/food/workers-busted-for-allegedly-stealing-barrels-of-117006802221.html

[Paddy]

Gotta give a big shout out to the Anderson and Franklin Country Sheriffs Office's (particulary Sheriff Pat Melton). They've been under a lot of scrutiny and pressure, yet they remained focused and held back on what would have been a premature press conference a couple of weeks ago, in order to dot the i's and cross the t's. They have completed a very professionally done and thorough investigation and should be commended for their efforts and dedication to bring resolution to the case.

[mosugoji64]

The story made NPR today as well:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/04/21/401318542/at-last-kentucky-authorities-bust-ring-behind-great-bourbon-heist

Very sad to hear that they'll likely have to destroy the recovered whiskey :cry:

[jasmorg1075]

Very sad to hear that they'll likely have to destroy the recovered whiskey :cry:

LOL...Diageo won't let that happen. I can already picture them conjuring the next lost, stolen or whatever story they have going on.

[TheOakMonster]

If you follow the npr.org link, there's a quote from Sheriff Melton about a recovered stainless barrel of Eagle Rare 17. This is the first mention I've seen about this particular missing item. So, there's even more stolen stuff than just Pappy and Wild Turkey. Interesting.

[mark fleetwood]

There's so much here it's hard to know where to start! 1) Since 2008?! Somebody at WT and BT (especially WT) got some 'splaining to do about distillate off still not equaling what was barreled (would think TBB would also be interested if not embarrassed), 2) this guy was selling at softball games (makes MLB beer prices at ballparks seem reasonable and finally (being a Hoosier I love rippin the Kentuckians) 3) just how gullible need you be to buy a BARREL of whiskey for 1G and not wonder out loud "Ma, what did uncle Lester go to the biggin house fer?" (I stipulate that UK has more NCAA basketball titles than IU.)

Lastly, would LOVE to be a fly-on-the-wall at the next WT-Campari quarterly management meeting. "Signor Russell, what is this free, statewide sampling program you speak of?"

Edited April 22, 2015 by mark fleetwood

[typoerror]

i bet their livers will do a great job destroying that evidence after the case is wrapped up! haha

[PaulO]

It's all pretty amazing stuff. These folks were stealing from two different companies: a lot of high end stuff over years. Part of the inside job had to be a conspirator cooking the books. A steel barrel of ER 17 went missing. That didn't raise some red flags? Another angle to this, people buying had to know it was stolen merchandise. How many of the VW bottles got flipped on social media too? I wonder if the police will interview some flippers? I think it would be priceless if a jury consisted of people that waited in line, or participated unsuccessfully in liquor store Pappy lotteries.

[Enoch]

This would have made a great line of episodes on "Justified" .... a reason to bring it back!

[Enoch]

What is amazing is that it went on sooooo long. If I had bought a barrel of quality bourbon at a great price I would be telling everyone unless I knew it was stolen....which is why I thing they had to know.

[fozzy71]

Please pardon my Pappy. He’s too young to die.

Upset that the bourbon recovered in PappyGate this week may be destroyed, I’ve appealed to a higher power: Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. I’m asking him to #PardonMyPappy. Please join the cause, won’t you?

The Honorable Steven L. Beshear

700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 100

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Dear Gov. Beshear,

Please pardon my Pappy. He’s too young to die.

He’s only 23 years old — a loyal Kentuckian through and through. He’s never left the rolling fields and gentle streams of the Bluegrass. And he’s worked to improve himself all his young life, sweating through the humid summers and struggling to stay warm on many a cold winter’s night.

There’s no proof he did wrong. But they say they’re going to spill his glorious spirit on the cold hard ground – all because he got caught up with the wrong crowd.

.......

[P&MLiquorsEric]

In my previous career, I played a ton of higher level softball in KY. I played against two of those that were indicted. Not a shock that steroids were involved but neither offered to sell me bourbon.

I have a feeling that bourbon theft (either by taking the whole barrel or siphoning some out) has been going on at every distillery on some level since the beginning. It took the biggest, rarest most hyped up name to make the public care about it.

[PaulO]

In a way, I think that's a compliment that they saw you as a legitimate businessman.

[garbanzobean]

The plot thickens!

http://www.lex18.com/story/28924399/cop-named-in-connection-with-the-pappy-van-winkle-case-resigns-from-his-job