Charges, counter-charges in mayor’s race

Mayoral candidate Mike Martinez attacked his opponent, Steve Adler, on Wednesday by accusing him of working for Koch Industries, a company owned by a pair of well-known and unpopular Republicans, David and Charles Koch. The Koch brothers are infamous for funding “dark money” attacks on Democrats, helping Republicans and denying climate change. Adler responded that Martinez’s allegations were “false, desperate and disappointing.” Adler said his law partner, Michael Barron, did some work for Koch Industries during the late 1970s or early 1980s. However, Adler did not join the firm until 1983 and says he has done no work for that company. Additionally, Adler said, “In fact, as recently as last month, my firm represented an Austin family against Koch Pipeline. I have represented hundreds of landowners against oil and gas pipeline companies.” To support his accusation, Martinez pointed to a website that listed various clients of the law firm, which included Koch Industries. Adler said in October his firm became aware of the site and had the list removed with a notation that it had not been updated since the 1990s. A list of clients on the law firm’s site includes: Advanced Micro Devices, Covert Buick, Endeavor Real Estate Group, H E B Grocery Company, McDonald’s Corporation, Simon Property Group and Taco Bell.