Masking the Real Koch Agenda with Criminal Justice Reform

March 26, 2015

In a recent profile, Koch Industries’ marketing exec, Steve Lombardo, admitted what everyone had already assumed: The Koch’s recent effort to push criminal justice system reform is a facade to advance their financial interests. Lombardo went as far as saying the initiative was part of a larger public relations campaign to combat Koch Industries’ negative image.

“‘Emphasizing criminal justice reform is a key part of the strategy to deflate the negative narrative around the Kochs,’ Lombardo said.”

Even with their newly-found interest in criminal justice, it’s worth looking at their true motives. The Kochs are candid about carving a “do gooder” image that helps their bottom line. It just so happens that the Koch brothers became interested in criminal justice reform after a grand jury’s indictment of employees at a Texas Koch refinery for violations of the Clean Air Act and other crimes. Koch Industries spent six years fighting the charges and eventually settled with the government for $10 million.

This initiative is just a PR stunt to mask the Koch political agenda that hurts small businesses and pollutes the environment. After all, the investment in criminal justice reform pales in comparison to the multi-millions the Kochs have poured into electing Republicans who are rubber stamps for their efforts. But then again, making over the Koch image is no easy job.

Paid for by American Bridge 21st Century Foundation