While Ken Paxton may be digging in his heels and refusing to resign over accusations of bribery and abuse of office, federal law enforcement is apparently moving forward into an investigation against the Texas Attorney General. According to the Associated Press, the FBI is officially looking into Paxton’s alleged illegal behavior.
Last month, seven members of Paxton’s staff accused him of abuse of office and reported their concerns to federal authorities. The staff members were alarmed about Paxton’s relationship with Nate Paul, a wealthy donor in Austin who is also the founder, president, and CEO of World Class Property Company. After agents with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Treasury raided Paul’s office and home in 2019, Paxton, through his office, stepped in and launched an investigation into those government agencies who targeted Paul.
All of the former aides to Paxton have since been fired, resigned, or placed on leave. On Friday, four of those aides officially filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Paxton.
In a statement following the lawsuit’s filing, Paxton dismissed the accusations. “After reviewing the claims made by former employees of this office, their allegations are overblown, based upon assumptions, and to a large degree misrepresent the facts,” Paxton said in his statement.
As more revelations about Paxton’s behavior have emerged, it was revealed that Paxton allegedly had an extramarital affair with a former Texas Senate aide, who he later recommended be hired by Paul. Though he has not commented publicly about the affair, he did allegedly tell members of his senior staff in 2018. Paxton then said the affair was over, and he was “recommitted” to his wife State Senator Angela Paxton.
Five years ago, Paxton was indicted by a grand jury of felony securities fraud. The case has bounced around Texas ever since, and recently a Houston Appeals Court halted a ruling that called for Paxton’s trial to take place in Collin County, where his hometown is located.Paxton is still listed as a co-chair for Lawyers for Trump.
Photo: Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images
A longtime writer and journalist, Jessica was thrilled to join the Texas Signal where she could utilize her unique perspective on politics and culture. As the Features and Opinion Editor, she is responsible for coordinating editorials and segments from diverse authors. She is also the host of the podcast the Tex Mix, as well as the co-host for the weekly SignalCast. Jessica attended Harvard College, is a onetime fitness blogger, and has now transitioned to recreational runner (for which her joints are thankful).
