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Texas lawmakers issue 20 articles of impeachment against state Attorney General Ken Paxton
- Thread starter Polds4OSU
- Start date
This carpetbagger needs to be sent back to AM radio.
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Republican senator who voted to acquit Paxton wants Senate to consider reopening impeachment proceedings against Paxton
A Republican state senator who voted to acquit Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial last year wants the Senate to consider restarting proceedings now that the attorney general is no longer fighting the whistleblower claims in court that were central to the trial.
The bombshell request came in a letter Thursday from retiring state Sen. Drew Springer to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his Senate colleagues.
“At this stage, and the point of this letter, I am asking the Senate whether there is a legal mechanism to reopen the impeachment proceedings,” Springer wrote. “Failure to at least consider this possibility runs the risk of AG Paxton making a mockery of the Texas Senate.”
Springer’s letter came days after Paxton announced he would not contest the facts of the whistleblower lawsuit in an attempt to end it without having to testify under oath. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 by a group of former top deputies who said they were improperly fired for telling federal authorities they believed Paxton was abusing his office to help a wealthy friend and donor, Nate Paul.
Paxton’s recent reversal in the whistleblower lawsuit was especially striking because one of the articles of impeachment that he was acquitted on alleged that he violated the Texas Whistleblower Act. Springer wrote that Paxton “completely changed his position in less than four months.”
Could Paxton face a second impeachment trial?
A spokesperson for Patrick, who served as judge in the trial, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Thursday evening, Paxton said in a statement to the Tribune, “Springer has to leave the senate because he was such a bad senator, wasn’t going to get re-elected, and needed a job. Why should anyone listen to his sour grapes.”
In his latest move to end the lawsuit, Paxton also said he would accept any judgment, potentially opening up taxpayers to more than the $3.3 million sum that was in a tentative settlement deal last year. Springer said Paxton has “essentially written a blank check” at the taxpayers’ expense and that he should have to answer questions under oath if he seeks any funding approval from the Legislature.
Despite his reversal, Paxton has not been able to wriggle out of the lawsuit in Travis County district court. As of now, he is required to sit for a deposition on Feb. 1.
Springer’s letter comes as he is freer from political consequences than most of his GOP colleagues because he is not seeking reelection. But his term is not over until January 2025, giving him a voice in the Senate for nearly another year.
Springer was one of 16 GOP senators who voted to acquit Paxton on all impeachment articles — and keep him in office — at the trial in September. Springer seemed especially conflicted with the decision after facing political threats in his solidly red district.
In the race to succeed Springer, Paxton has endorsed Carrie de Moor, a Frisco emergency room physician who surfaced as a potential challenger while the trial was still underway. Springer is backing one of de Moor’s rivals, Brent Hagenbuch, the former Denton County GOP leader. Patrick has also endorsed Hagenbuch.
Texas Was All Geared Up for Depositions In the Ken Paxton Whistleblower Case Until Guess Who Stepped In
The all-GOP court issued an order Tuesday blocking the depositions and giving the parties until Feb. 29 to respond with their broader legal arguments. The decision was made public within hours of Paxton’s top political ally — former President Donald Trump — calling on the court to end the case. The Supreme Court did not elaborate on its decision to block the depositions. Lawyers for the whistleblowers emphasized that it was not a ruling on the substantive argument by Paxton's office against the depositions. "This was not a ruling on the merits and we look forward to continuing the fight for justice in this case," two whistleblower attorneys, Tom Nesbitt and TJ Turner said, in a statement. "The people of Texas deserve answers from Ken Paxton."
With the deposition question before the Supreme Court, Trump allies had ramped up pressure on the court to side with Paxton. And then on Tuesday morning, Trump himself weighed in on his social media platform, Truth Social. “Enough time and money has been wasted forcing [Paxton] to defend himself, instead of defending our broken Southern Border, which is under continual siege,” Trump said, calling on the justices to “end the Politicization and Abuse of our Justice System.” The Supreme Court did not explain its ruling Tuesday. It said one justice, Evan Young, did not participate.
Four former top deputies filed the whistleblower lawsuit in 2020, alleging Paxton improperly fired them after they reported him to the FBI for allegedly abusing his office to help a wealthy friend and donor, Nate Paul. Their claims were the basis for Paxton’s impeachment by the Texas House last year. He was acquitted by the Senate after a trial in September. In a remarkable move earlier this month, Paxton sought to stave off the depositions by announcing he would no longer contest the facts of the case and accept any judgment. But it did not sway the whistleblowers, who have pressed forward with seeking the depositions of Paxton and the three aides: Michelle Smith, Brent Webster and Lesley French Henneke.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to Face Trial After Judge Denies Dismissal of Longstanding Criminal Charges
In Houston, state District Judge Andrea Beall has dismissed efforts by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to have his felony securities fraud charges dismissed. These allegations have been looming over the Republican politician for nearly ten years, and with this recent ruling, he is slated to face trial in April. Paxton is accused of defrauding investors in connection with a technology company and could face a maximum of 99 years in prison if convicted. Paxton, who asserts his innocence, has faced numerous delays in his trial since his 2015 indictment, leading his defense team to argue for dismissal on the grounds of a right to a swift trial.
The legal standoff has seen arguments regarding the trial location and payment for prosecutors, with the defense asserting that these delays are undermining Paxton’s legal rights. Still, prosecutors insist that Paxton’s own legal maneuvers are responsible for the prolonged timeline.
This court case is one of several complications for Paxton, who has served three terms as a prominent state attorney general. Despite his legal entanglements, including impeachment charges of misconduct that he survived, his political career has demonstrated remarkable tenacity, earning him reelection even after his indictment and support from prominent figures including former President Donald Trump.
Paxton’s legal challenges do not end with the upcoming trial as he continues to be the subject of a federal investigation and is embroiled in a whistleblower lawsuit brought forth by his former aides, both addressing issues related to the indictment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What charges is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton facing?
- Ken Paxton faces felony securities fraud charges related to allegations of defrauding investors in a Dallas-area technology company, Servergy.
- What is the potential penalty if Paxton is convicted?
- Ken Paxton could face up to 99 years in prison if he is found guilty of the charges.
- Why was there a delay in Ken Paxton’s trial?
- Delays in Paxton’s trial have been attributed to disputes over trial location, payment for prosecutors, and legal tactics by both the defense and prosecution.
- Has Ken Paxton been previously tried for any other criminal charges?
- Paxton underwent a historic impeachment trial in the Texas Senate over allegations of misuse of his office to benefit a donor, which ended in acquittal.
- Aside from these criminal charges, what other legal issues is Paxton facing?
Beyond the criminal charges, Paxton is also the subject of a federal investigation concerning some of the same allegations and is involved in a whistleblower lawsuit initiated by former top aides.
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