The Kentucky Castle Denies Allegations of Secret Guest Recording

“TKC Hospitality unequivocally rejects the allegations suggesting that guests were secretly recorded while staying at our property,” the parent company of The Kentucky Castle said in a statement released Thursday.

The Woodford County landmark issued its first public comment following a lawsuit filed by former guests over claims of potential secret videos made on the premises, kentucky.com reported.

The legal challenge, which seeks to become a class action representing other guests who stayed at the property, arrives as the hotel's ownership undergoes leadership changes and legal scrutiny.

The company’s statement, issued via Boxcar PR, asserted that no evidence exists to support the claims and expressed disappointment over what it described as the circulation of misleading narratives.

“There is no evidence supporting these claims, and we are deeply disappointed by the continued circulation of speculation and misleading narratives that have unfairly called into question the integrity of our property, employees and operations,” the statement said.

Couple suing Kentucky Castle and former CEO over secret recording allegations — WLKY News Louisville

The scope of the allegations

The lawsuit, filed on November 12, centers on claims that guests were recorded without their knowledge. While the specific details of the plaintiffs’ evidence remain part of ongoing litigation, the company maintains that its property is secure.

TKC Hospitality said that a Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) sweep and multiple physical searches of the property yielded no unauthorized recording devices. However, it remains unclear when those searches were conducted or which entity performed them.

The hotel, which includes 18 guest accommodations, a restaurant, a spa, and five venue spaces in Versailles, Kentucky, has previously said that an attorney conducted a search and found no recording equipment.

Couple files class-action suit against Kentucky Castle after bourbon maker faces hidden camera alleg — FOX 56 News

“Let us be absolutely clear: No unauthorized recording devices or evidence of their previous existence were found following a Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) sweep and multiple physical searches of the property,” the company said.

The company also emphasized that it has not been contacted by law enforcement regarding any investigation into unauthorized recording at the site.

Connection to Wes Henderson

According to that court filing, family members discovered footage that allegedly contained video “that captured sex at the Kentucky Castle, which is connected to a business interest of the Defendant Wes Henderson,” kentucky.com reported.

Henderson, who sold Angel’s Envy in 2015 for a reported $150 million, has since launched the whiskey brand True Story. While he remains listed as a member of both TKC Hospitality and TKC Distilling on the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website, he was fired from the companies in October.

Attorneys for both Henderson and The Kentucky Castle did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday, and they have not yet filed formal responses to the new lawsuit.

The stakes for the Bluegrass destination

The legal battle places the reputation of a major Kentucky tourism destination at the center of a high-stakes dispute over privacy and corporate liability. If the lawsuit successfully moves to class action status, it could represent many former guests.

The company’s defense rests on the distinction between media reports and verified evidence. The statement argued that the legal action appears to rely on speculation rather than independently verified wrongdoing.

“Media coverage, regardless of how frequently allegations are repeated, does not establish their truth,” the company said.

“Speculation should not be presented as fact, and unsubstantiated claims should not be allowed to overshadow the reputation of a property and the dedicated people who work there,” the statement continued.

As the litigation proceeds, the court will have to weigh the claims of the Virginia couple who filed the suit against the technical findings and denials provided by TKC Hospitality.

“We intend to vigorously defend against these allegations and will not allow unsubstantiated accusations or misleading characterizations to go unchallenged,” the company said.