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Springfield Today
By the People, for the People
Modular builder for 7 Brew expansion faces lawsuit alleging $2M embezzlement
Partners at a construction firm supporting 7 Brew's rapid growth are embroiled in a legal dispute over alleged misuse of company funds.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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A co-founder of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee has filed a lawsuit against his business partner, Lee Loveall, and Loveall's wife, Leanna, alleging they embezzled more than $2 million from their modular construction company that builds 7 Brew locations. The lawsuit claims the Lovealls diverted company funds for personal expenses and blocked access to financial records.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the risks and challenges that can arise when rapid growth and expansion put pressure on business partnerships. The allegations of embezzlement and misuse of funds could threaten the ability of 7 Brew to continue its aggressive expansion plans if the legal battle disrupts the construction of new locations.
The details
According to the lawsuit, Ron Crume, a co-founder of 7 Brew, alleges that Lee Loveall, his business partner and co-owner of their modular construction firm Creative Modular Construction (CMC), diverted over $2 million in company funds for personal expenses such as family vacations and a truck for his son. The complaint claims Loveall concealed the transactions and blocked access to CMC's financial records, preventing an accounting of the losses. Loveall's wife, Leanna, a former CMC employee, is also named as a defendant.
- On Feb. 9, a circuit judge in Greene County, Missouri, issued an injunction barring the Lovealls from altering or destroying company records and ordered them to provide the plaintiff access to those records.
- As of Wednesday, no response had been filed by the Lovealls to the lawsuit, which alleges fraud, conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of operating agreement.
The players
Ron Crume
A co-founder of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee who has filed the lawsuit against his business partners.
Lee Loveall
A co-owner of Creative Modular Construction (CMC) who is accused of embezzling over $2 million from the company.
Leanna Loveall
Lee Loveall's wife and a former employee of CMC who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Creative Modular Construction (CMC)
The modular construction firm that builds 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee locations and is at the center of the embezzlement allegations.
7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee
The rapidly expanding coffee chain that relies on CMC to build its new locations.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
