Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing serious allegations of breaking laws while in office, according to a Republican-led investigation. The investigation, which took place in the Texas Capitol, revealed findings suggesting that Paxton engaged in multiple criminal activities, including felonies. The accusations against Paxton include attempts to conceal an affair, misuse of his position to benefit a donor, violation of established protocols, and fostering a culture of fear and retaliation within his office. Investigators informed the House General Investigating Committee, led by Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr, that there is substantial evidence pointing to Paxton’s repeated violations of the law, such as the misuse of official information, abuse of official capacity, and acts of retaliation.
The hearing concluded without any immediate action being taken on the findings. The committee did not discuss potential next steps or the possibility of recommending Paxton’s impeachment or censure. The legislative session is set to end soon, and any action against Paxton would need to be taken before then, unless a special session is called by Republican Governor Greg Abbott. In Texas, if an official is impeached by the House, they are suspended from office until the outcome of a Senate trial. The governor has the authority to appoint an interim replacement for the vacant position.
The hearing marked a significant rebuke from Republicans within the Texas Capitol, where Paxton has traditionally enjoyed support and alliances. Even Governor Abbott, who praised Paxton during his third-term inauguration in January, was among his long-standing defenders. However, Paxton dismissed the investigators’ hours of testimony as “false,” accused the committee of misleading the public, and attacked Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan, labeling him a “liberal.” Paxton also made repeated claims since Tuesday that Phelan had been intoxicated while on the job, an accusation that Phelan’s office brushed off as an attempt by Paxton to save face.
The hearing coincided with Paxton’s efforts to secure legislative approval for over $3 million in taxpayer funds to settle a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former top aides who accused him of corruption. The lawyers representing the whistleblowers expressed gratitude to the committee for acknowledging the harm suffered by their clients due to retaliation and urged lawmakers to approve the settlement.
The accusations brought to light by investigators align with previously reported incidents involving Paxton or disclosed in court records. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Paxton has maintained popularity among GOP voters in Texas and gained national attention through his lawsuits against President Joe Biden’s administration and his defense of former President Donald Trump.
In 2020, Paxton’s former staff members reported him to the FBI, alleging that he broke the law to benefit a campaign contributor, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. Paxton admitted to having had an extramarital affair with a woman employed by Paul. The federal criminal investigation into Paxton was later taken over by the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section based in Washington. Since April, the House committee has issued numerous subpoenas related to the investigation, aiming to gather testimony and information while protecting the parties involved from potential reprisals.
During the hearing, State Representative Ann Johnson, a Houston Democrat and vice chair of the committee, suggested that the attorney general’s office was effectively manipulated by Nate Paul to launch an investigation. The investigators agreed that this was a fair assessment. The attorneys who are handling Paul’s case did not immediately give a response to the inquiries made.
Many of Paxton’s accusers either resigned or were fired, leading to internal turmoil within his agency. Seasoned lawyers left, citing practices aimed at influencing legal work, rewarding loyalists, and stifling dissent. Despite these concerns, Republican lawmakers had shown little interest in scrutinizing Paxton’s actions until now.
The hearing also revealed new details about Paxton’s upscale home renovation, which had previously drawn the attention of the FBI. It was disclosed that Paxton’s extramarital affair lasted longer than previously known, resuming in 2020 after a brief hiatus in 2019 when Paxton’s wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, discovered the affair. According to one of the investigators, Paxton had discussed the renovation with a contractor, mentioning his wife’s desire for granite countertops. The contractor said the expense would be $20,000 and added that he would have to consult with Nate about it
