Nazis, the Ryan budget, blackmail & more: 5 big pieces of news in new Koch book preview

The NY Times got an early copy of Jane Mayer’s new book on the Kochs, Dark Money, and even in the short preview there’s some big news — the Kochs’ ties to the Nazis, blackmail within the brothers, bankrolling an effort to make the Ryan budget “more palatable,” and more. Check out five big pieces of news below, read the full NY Times piece here, and stay tuned for more from the new book next week.

1. Charles and David Koch’s father, Fred Koch’s, early business success has roots in Nazi Germany (and Stalin’s Soviet Union, too). Earlier this year, Charles highlighted his commitment to advancing his father’s values and touted that he hangs a portrait of him and letter from him in in his office. Don’t miss the Washington Post’s addition of the “fervent Nazi” governess that cared for the older Koch brothers when they were children.

2. Charles and David Koch tried to blackmail their brother Fred out of shares of the family company and threatened to tell their father he was gay.

3. The Kochs bankrolled an effort to make Paul Ryan’s budget “more palatable” to voters.

4. The Kochs originially got involved in politics to off-load the costs of their “environmental and regulatory fights” to other “rich business owners.”

5. The Koch PR machine (formerly of big tobacco) is already complaining about the book and it’s “sourcing.” Unfortunately for their push back, Dark Money includes a “personal history” on the Kochs commissioned by Bill Koch.

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