A bourbon magnate who was once inducted into the American whiskey's Hall of Fame has been ousted as CEO of his company after his family members claimed he secretly filmed them as they undressed and had sex.
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they → induct → sex
Wes Henderson, 60, a Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member who sold his first company, Angel's Envy, to Bacardi for a reported $150 million in 2015, was fired from his position at TKC Distilling, the company announced on social media Saturday.
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company → sell → media
He has also stepped away from his position as a deputy coroner in Oldham County, Kentucky and is taking an unpaid leave of absence, Oldham County Advanced Coroner David Pendleton told WLKY.
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Pendleton → step → WLKY
The stunning downfall comes after family members accused Henderson of invasion of privacy, voyeurism and possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor in a lawsuit filed back in June, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
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members → come → Leader
Family members claim in the now-sealed lawsuit that they were staying at Henderson's vacation home near Melbourne, Florida in June 2025, where they found 15 hidden cameras – including some that were capable of live-streaming.
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that → claim → streaming
When the family members then returned home, they said they reviewed the footage, which they allege captured intimate acts as well as images of themselves in various stages of undress and using the restroom.
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they → return → restroom
Some underage family members were also captured on the cameras nude, the lawsuit alleges.
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lawsuit → capture → cameras
In total, the family members allege, there were 40 people 'identified as being captured [in the video footage] without their knowledge.
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members → allege → knowledge
Wes Henderson, 60, has been ousted from his position as CEO at TKC Distilling amid disturbing allegations from family members that he secretly filmed them at his house
The cameras had been disguised throughout the Florida home as fire alarms, behind a mirror, in a fan, in a clock, in a speaker, in a bathroom air vent directly above the toilet, in charging blocks and plug outlet extenders, according to the lawsuit.
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cameras → oust → lawsuit
Some of the footage the family members claim to have seen included Henderson placing the cameras pointing to views of a bed.
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Henderson → claim → bed
The cameras then allegedly captured Henderson 'having sex with other women (not his wife),' the lawsuit claims.
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lawsuit → capture → women
'Upon information and belief, the cameras captured other adults having sex, as well as footage of what appeared to be a homeless individual, potentially a minor, who happened to be carrying a portable medical device, using the restroom,' it states, according to the Herald-Leader.
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it → capture → Leader
In a footnote, it noted: 'Some of the videos were from SD cards that captured sex at the Kentucky Castle, which is connected to a business interest of the Defendant Wes Henderson.
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which → note → Defendant
Henderson bought Kentucky Castle in Versailles, a wedding and tourist destination with a hotel and restaurant, in 2023 with plans to build a $92 million distillery nearby for his whiskey brand, True Story.
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Henderson → buy → brand
After making the disturbing discovery, family members said they alerted other relatives, as well as Henderson's wife, who they said 'gave [them] permission to sweep their Oldham County, Kentucky home for similar hidden recording devices.'
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they → make → devices
Another 15 cameras were allegedly found there.
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cameras → find → ?
The lawsuit claims Henderson's wife let the family members search their Kentucky home, where they found another 15 hidden cameras
Some of the videos were allegedly from the Kentucky Castle (pictured), which Henderson bought in 2023 with plans to build a $92 million distillery nearby
The filing also claims that the footage 'showed Wes placing cameras in various third-parties' homes.'
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Wes → claim → homes
At one point, he was even allegedly seen wearing a firefighter's shirt while placing the hidden cameras.
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he → see → cameras
Family members claimed in the lawsuit they contacted local authorities and turned over the cameras and SD card from his Oldham County home and the Florida vacation home.
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they → claim → home
'At present, law enforcement continues to maintain possession of the evidence,' the lawsuit states, according to the Herald-Leader.
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lawsuit → continue → Leader
But Versailles Police Chief Rob Young told WDRB an official investigation has not been opened, and that the police department is 'working to determine who the law enforcement is that is reportedly involved.'
Oldham County Police Chief Greg Smith also said his department is not involved in the case.
Henderson's son, Kyle Henderson, has taken over as CEO at TKC Distilling
Henderson's attorney has since told the Herald-Leader his client 'unequivocally denies the allegations in the lawsuit.
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client → tell → lawsuit
'It is our understanding that the complaint will be voluntarily dismissed,' the lawyer claimed.
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lawyer → dismiss → ?
'If that does not happen, he is prepared to vigorously defend himself.
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he → happen → himself
Yet, family members claim: 'After being confronted, and throughout the last 11 months, Wes Henderson has frequently apologized for his actions and requested forgiveness through several text messages to multiple members of his family.'
The family members are seeking punitive damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses and are asking a judge to allow a jury trial to move forward.
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trial → claim → judge
In the meantime, Henderson's son, Kyle, will assume the duties of CEO for both Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey as the company's board said it will conduct a 'full and independent investigation' into the allegations.
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it → assume → allegations
'The company remains committed to addressing the matter with responsibility and to ensuring that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and fairly,' it said.
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it → remain → responsibility
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