Former Angel's Envy co-founder Wes Henderson has been pulled from his CEO position at Bourbon business TKC Distilling amid allegations of voyeurism.
Reports from local US news outlets including The Courier Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader suggest Henderson's family members filed a sealed lawsuit against him in Kentucky in June, claiming they were secretly filmed.
In the filing, viewed by the two publications but not by Just Drinks, relatives have accused Henderson of invasion of privacy, voyeurism and possessing matter showing a sexual performance by a child.
The filing said that some underage relatives were recorded nude on the cameras.
On Sunday (4 October) The Kentucky Castle confirmed a statement on social media that Henderson had been removed from his CEO position.
"The board and leadership of TKC Distilling, the parent company of The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey, have terminated the employment of CEO Wes Henderson, effective immediately, in light of the allegations outlined in a recently filed lawsuit."
Kyle Henderson is taking over as CEO of The Kentucky Castle and the True Story whiskey brand, the statement added. He is the parent company's chief operating officer, according to LinkedIn.
"The company remains committed to addressing the matter with responsibility and to ensuring that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and fairly."
According to The Courier Journal, the suit says relatives claim Wes Henderson filmed guests and family members without their knowledge at The Kentucky Castle, a hotel and events venue owned by TKC Distilling, and other sites, in "various stages of undress".
Forty people in total were identified as being recorded without their knowledge, the lawsuit said.
In the Lexington Herald-Leader report, an attorney for Wes Henderson shared a statement on Friday (2 October), stressing their client "unequivocally denies the allegations in the lawsuit".
They added: "It is our understanding that the complaint will be voluntarily dismissed. If that does not happen, he is prepared to vigorously defend himself."
Wes Henderson co-founded Angel's Envy Bourbon, which was sold to Bacardi in 2015. According to his profile on LinkedIn, he remained with the business until 2022.
He became CEO of Saga Spirits Group, also known by the name TKC Distilling, in 2023. The business produces the True Story Whiskey brand.
In 2024, the business reportedly had plans to invest over $90m in a new distillery in Kentucky. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, those plans are paused.
A separate report from Lexington Herald-Leader yesterday (5 October) said a federal probe has been launched into the videos allegedly filmed.
No charges have been made against the Angel's Envy co-founder, the publication said.
