Former Exec Sues Koch Brother for Imprisonment

Lefties everywhere like to accuse the Koch brothers of everything from buying elections to plotting world domination, but a report by Courthouse News picked up by Huffington Post outlines a truly bizarre accusation involving lesser-known Koch brother, Bill. Seems Bill Koch—the twin of David Koch and younger brother of Charles Koch who left the family business after a lengthy legal battle—stands accused of imprisoning an exec at his own Oxbow Corporation. Kirby Martensen has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Bill Koch lured him to his remote Aspen ranch, interrogated him at length, and held him against his will.

Martensen says an anonymous letter accusing him of defrauding Oxbow prompted the company to review his email, which revealed his skepticism at what the HuffPo calls the company's "tax avoidance strategies." He describes the ordeal at Koch's ranch in length, then says he was fired and forced to fly to San Francisco aboard a private plane with a man he believed was armed (perhaps not coincidentally, he's suing in not-very-Koch-friendly San Fran). A Koch rep confirms they investigated and fired Martensen, and says Oxbow is "pursuing appropriate action." Bill Koch, perhaps best known for bankrolling the boat that won the 1992 America's Cup, is the only defendant in Martensen's lawsuit. (More William Koch stories.)