Frisco | October 2023

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 curated for this community because of its impact in Texas.

Ken Paxton cleared of charges

What they're saying

on ocial 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 oce.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is returning to oce after state senators found him not guilty of 16 impeachment charges ranging from abuse of oce to bribery. Paxton, a third-term Republican, was not present for the verdict. He was accused of abusing his oce 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 oce to help a campaign donor.

October-November 2020: Three whistleblowers resign from the attorney general’s oce. The other four are red.

May 27: Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from oce 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 senior sta ers.

What’s next?

Sept. 16: 30 state senators vote to acquit Paxton on 16 articles of impeachment and dismiss four others.

Feb. 21: Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund the settlement with taxpayer money.

A whistleblower lawsuit against Paxton will resume in Travis County. Paxton also faces a state securities fraud case, set to begin next year, and he is being investigated by the FBI.

Mar. 8: House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation.

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINECOMMUNITY IMPACT

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