State
BY HANNAH NORTON
More than 60 Community Impact journalists across the state cover wide-ranging issues for local readers, delivering news to over 2 million mailboxes monthly and more than 100,000 inboxes daily. The story below was written for this community because of its impact in Texas.
Ken Paxton cleared of all charges
What they're saying
on o cial records; and unfairly terminating employees who reported their concerns about alleged conduct to the FBI in 2020. Thirty senators then spent hours deliberating the allegations behind closed doors. No charge received more than 14 votes to convict. A two-thirds majority, or 21 senators, was required to remove Paxton from o ce.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton returned to o ce after state senators found him not guilty of 16 impeachment charges ranging from abuse of o ce to bribery on Sept. 16. Paxton, a third-term Republican, was not present for the verdict. He was accused of abusing his o ce to help donor, Nate Paul; accepting bribes; lying
“Regardless of the results, I am proud to have defended the interests of our fellow Texans, who have
stood up for integrity and propriety in public service. ” REP. ANDREW MURR, HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGER
“Some of the greatest lawyers in Texas literally could not put together a cogent case that could convince anyone
Sept. 2020 - Dec. 2020
Jan. 2023 - Oct. 2023
Sept. 30, 2020: Seven employees report Paxton to the FBI for allegedly abusing his o ce to help a campaign donor.
Oct.-Nov. 2020: Three whistleblowers resign from the attorney general’s o ce. The other four are red.
May 27: Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from o ce without pay.
that these things occurred beyond a reasonable doubt.” DAN COGDELL, DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Sept. 5-15: Lawyers present evidence and examine witnesses during the trial.
Feb. 10, 2023: Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with the four former deputies.
What’s next?
Sept. 16: Thirty state senators vote to acquit Paxton on 16 articles of impeachment and dismiss four others.
Feb. 21, 2023: Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund the settlement with taxpayer money.
Paxton still faces a state trial likely to kick o next year for two securities fraud charges dating from 2015 and FBI investigation from the whistleblower report.
March 8, 2023: House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation.
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINECOMMUNITY IMPACT
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