Emails, Rob Tappan, director, External Relations, Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC, Koch Industries, Nov. 12-13, 2014
From: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) [mailto:wgselby@statesman.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 4:32 PM
To: Tappan, Rob
Subject: Inquiry for a fact check in Texas
Hello again.
I write because we’re checking this claim made today by Austin mayoral candidate Mike Martinez about his foe in a December runoff: “Last night, Steve Adler admitted his law firm worked with Koch Industries for nearly a decade.”
Adler is co-founder of Barron & Adler, LLP, which at one time listed Koch as a representative client, a local TV station reported last night.
At any rate, I am seeking any information that bears on the accuracy of this claim. I’d be happy to visit by phone (just left a message) if that’s easier.
g.
W. Gardner Selby
Reporter / News
Austin American-Statesman
PolitiFact Texas
From: Tappan, Rob
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 5:02 PM
To: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin)
Subject: RE: Inquiry for a fact check in Texas
Dear Gardner:
Thanks for your note.
Koch has used Mr. Adler’s law firm in the past, but Mr. Adler himself has never been engaged by Koch nor ever represented the company.
Sincerely,
--Rob Tappan
Robert A. Tappan
Director, External Relations
Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC
Koch Industries
Washington, DC 20005
From: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin)
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 10:12 AM
To: 'Tappan, Rob'
Subject: Following up
Got it.
Can you elaborate about when Koch Industries employed the firm and for what purpose? I am all about details. I also just left a voice message as well.
I hope to complete this story today.
g.
-----Original Message-----
From: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) [wgselby@statesman.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 11:01 AM Central Standard Time
To: Tappan, Rob
Subject: More information
I just spoke with Mike Barron of the Barron & Adler firm. He said by his recollection, Koch Industries paid a small retainer while the firm advised KI on acquiring right-of-way for a jet-fuel pipeline running from the Corpus Christi area to San Antonio, Austin, Waco and Dallas in 1984-85 or 1985-86. Is any of this confirmed at your end (including Koch building that pipeline)?
g.
11:44 a.m.
Nov. 13, 2014
Gardner:
I can confirm this, with these two clarifications/corrections:
The pipeline was built in the late 1980s, and Mike Barron was the only person we worked with at the law firm.
--Rob Tappan
Robert Tappan
Director, External Relations
Koch Companies Public Sector
Koch Industries
3:18 p.m.
The line carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
From: Tappan, Rob
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 4:18 PM
To: 'Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin)'
Subject: RE: More information
Gardner:
The pipeline involved is a refined products pipeline that starts in Corpus Christi and ends in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, with terminals at San Antonio, Austin and Waco.