AUSTIN, Texas — Investigators leading the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have released nearly 4,000 pages of documents that reveal new details about the embattled Republican’s alleged misconduct. The documents show that Paxton used multiple cellphones and an alias on a ride-sharing app to hide an affair, and pressured top aides to assist a donor who is now facing criminal charges.
The exhibits, which include emails and text messages, form the basis of House Republicans’ argument that Paxton abused his position and should be removed from office at the end of the impeachment trial beginning on Sept. 5.
Mark Penley, one of Paxton’s former deputies, described the conduct as “outrageous” for an Attorney General, who is supposed to be the chief law enforcement officer for the state.
Paxton, who has been suspended from office since his impeachment in May, has denied the allegations as politically motivated.
A spokesperson for Paxton declined to comment due to a gag order imposed by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the state Senate that will decide Paxton’s fate.
Paxton’s wife, Angela, is a senator but is prohibited from voting in the proceedings.
The documents provide the most comprehensive account to date of the allegations made against Paxton by eight of his senior deputies, who reported him to the FBI in 2020. The deputies claimed that Paxton had misused his authority to protect real estate developer Nate Paul from legal issues.
In a deposition, Penley said that in December 2019, Paxton asked him to take a phone call with Paul, describing him as a friend having trouble with the FBI. Penley later urged Paxton to distance himself from Paul, but Paxton insisted on hiring an outside attorney to investigate Paul’s claims.
Paul was arrested in June and charged with making false statements to banks. He has pleaded not guilty.
The newly released exhibits also include Uber records that allegedly show Paxton using an alias to conceal visits to Paul and another woman with whom he was having an affair. The documents also suggest that Paxton used multiple phones.
Paxton’s lawyers recently argued that the Texas House’s case was baseless, as there is no evidence of wrongdoing or illegal acts on the part of Attorney General Paxton.
Despite the scandal, Paxton was reelected to a third term in November. He is also facing other legal issues, including a securities fraud indictment and an ongoing FBI investigation.
Paxton was reelected to a third term in November despite the cloud of scandal, which his supporters say shows that voters want him in office. Paxton is also facing multiple legal troubles beyond the impeachment, including a securities fraud indictment from 2015 that has yet to go to trial and an ongoing FBI investigation.
