TKC Distilling fired CEO Wes Henderson on Oct. 3 after relatives accused him in a lawsuit of secretly recording family members and guests, including minors, at homes and a resort. The company said its board acted in light of allegations in the complaint, while Henderson’s attorney denied them. Fox News Digital reported the company decision and the allegations.
The lawsuit was filed in June in Oldham County, Kentucky, according to The Courier Journal, which obtained the now-sealed complaint. The allegations have not been established in court. Henderson’s attorney said he expected the complaint to be voluntarily dismissed and was prepared to defend him if the plaintiffs continued.
Relatives said they discovered concealed cameras during a June 2025 stay at Henderson’s vacation home near Melbourne, Florida. They alleged they removed about 15 devices, including cameras disguised as fire alarms and hidden in a fan, clock, speaker, charging blocks and outlet extenders.
Complaint Describes Hidden Cameras
The complaint also described a camera in a bathroom air vent and footage that allegedly showed Henderson positioning a camera in front of a bed. Family members said recordings captured guests changing clothes, using bathrooms and engaging in sexual acts without knowing they were being recorded.
Some recordings allegedly showed Henderson having sex with other women. The complaint also alleged that cameras recorded minors while they were nude. After reviewing recordings, relatives said they turned evidence over to authorities.
The lawsuit said Henderson’s wife later gave relatives permission to search the couple’s Oldham County home, where they allegedly found more hidden cameras. Memory cards reportedly contained footage from The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky, which Henderson owns.
Company Names New Chief Executive
The lawsuit reportedly identified 40 people recorded without their knowledge or consent. One person was described as an alleged homeless person carrying what appeared to be a medical device into a restroom. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for pain and suffering and medical expenses, and requested a jury trial, according to The Courier Journal.
TKC Distilling is the parent company of The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey. Charity Bird, an attorney for the company, said Henderson’s son, Kyle Henderson, would take over as CEO of both businesses.
“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 allegations outlined in a recently filed lawsuit,” Bird said in an emailed statement.
Bird said the board planned a “full and independent investigation into the allegations.” She said the company remained committed to addressing the matter responsibly and conducting the investigation fairly. The company is not a party to the lawsuit, Bird said.
The leadership change follows other executive transitions covered by Iveco’s leadership reorganization and Highmark Health’s CEO appointment. Grit Daily has also reported on a board leadership update.
Separately, TKC Distilling and related businesses have faced lawsuits alleging unpaid architectural and consulting bills. Henderson, a former firefighter, recently took a leave of absence as Oldham County deputy coroner, Coroner David Pendleton told The Courier Journal.
The location of the recordings and devices remained unclear in the report. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and Oldham County Police Department in Kentucky did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests about whether they had taken possession of the evidence. Versailles Police Chief Rob Young said his department was not involved and knew nothing about the matter.
The case’s next step remained uncertain. Henderson’s attorney said he expected the plaintiffs to dismiss the complaint, but Henderson would vigorously defend himself if they did not. The allegations and the handling of the evidence remain subjects of the pending dispute.
