Attorney General Ken Paxton Impeached - Trial August 28th

BY TEXAS TRIBUNE

Lawmakers in the Texas House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday. The stunning vote came two days after a House committee unveiled 20 articles of impeachment for Paxton, accusing the state’s top lawyer of bribery, dereliction of duty, disregard of official duty and obstruction of justice. Paxton is suspended from his duties pending the outcome of a trial in the Senate.

For years, Paxton has faced criminal investigations, legal battles and accusations of wrongdoing. He was charged with felony securities fraud less than a year into his first term, and in 2020 senior officials in his office accused him of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential crimes. Several of those officials were fired and later filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Paxton accusing him of retaliation.

After a tentative $3.3 million settlement was reached in the whistleblower lawsuit in February, Paxton’s office asked lawmakers to use taxpayer dol lars to pay it. House com mittee members say this is what sparked their investigation and recommendation for impeachment.

The impeachment charges centered on Paxton’s entanglement with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. Members of the House committee that investigated Paxton said they believed he broke the law by using his agency to serve Paul’s interests. In return, Paxton allegedly received bribes and favors from Paul — from home remodeling to hiring a woman with whom Paxton had an affair.

During debate Saturday, Paxton supporters criticized the impeachment proceedings as rushed, secretive and based on hearsay accounts. But ultimately, lawmakers approved impeachment in a 121-23 vote, with 60 Republicans, including Speaker Dade Phelan, voting for it.

The Senate will now conduct a trial for Paxton with senators acting as jurors and designated House members presenting their case as impeachment managers.

The Senate trial will start by Aug. 28.

Permanently removing Paxton from office and barring him from holding future elected office in Texas would require the support of two-thirds of senators.