Koch Charged with Domestic Abuse

B A R N S T A B L E, Mass., July 20 -- Millionaire businessman and America’sCup winner William Koch was arrested for allegedly punching hiswife in the stomach and threatening to kill his entire family witha belt.

Koch, who won the 1992 America’s Cup, was arrested at thecouple’s luxurious Cape Cod home in a gated community in thevillage of Osterville on Monday night.

Angela Koch, 42, told police of her 60-year-old husband’sattack, and said he threatened “to beat his whole family to deathwith his belt,” said Barnstable Deputy Police Chief MichaelMartin. No family members required medical attention.

Pleads Innocent to All Counts

Koch has pleaded innocent to charges of domestic assault andbattery, and two counts of threatening to commit murder. He is freeon his own recognizance.

In a statement released Wednesday through a spokesman for Koch’sOxbow Corporation, Koch said he loves his wife and is confident“that with the help of competent professionals we will be able towork out our problems.”

Koch, whose wealth was estimated at $650 million by Forbes, hasfour children, including a 2-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughterwith Angela Koch.

Koch won the 1992 America’s Cup by beating Italy, and sponsoredan all-women’s Cup team in 1995. His Oxbow Corp. includes companiesinvolved in energy and real estate.

Koch is a native of Kansas whose father struck it rich in theoil business. Koch has sued two of his brothers during the pastdecade for control of the family business, Koch Industries, for agreater share of the company.