Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Must Go
AUSTIN, Texas – The latest allegations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton make it clear that his time in office must end with his resignation or removal from office via impeachment, Public Citizen said in response to this morning’s hearing before the House Committee on General Investigating.
Adrian Shelley, Texas director of Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Ken Paxton must resign immediately. But if he refuses to go willingly, the Texas Legislature must act to remove him. A running series of scandals and an alleged pattern of corruption have clouded Paxton’s entire time in office. The people of Texas simply can’t trust that he is working for their interests, not his.”
At the hearing, investigators detailed their findings on allegations that Paxton improperly used his office to benefit a friend and donor. Several Paxton aides reported the attorney general’s alleged corruption to state and federal authorities. Four of the aides later sued the attorney general’s office, accusing Paxton of retaliation by firing them or forcing them to resign.
In February of this year, the two sides announced a $3.3 million settlement that would include an apology from Paxton. But the settlement is contingent on the Legislature approving Paxton’s request to pay it with public funds, which the lawmakers appear unwilling to do.