An unexpected postponement marked recent news from the Texas legal system. State Attorney General Ken Paxton's anticipated testimony was put on hold by the Texas Supreme Court. Paxton had been summoned to answer a whistleblower lawsuit that assumed center stage in the impeachment charges against him in 2023. Paxton's potential first-time sworn statements on alleged corruption, an event many eagerly awaited, found themselves temporarily shelved.
Attorney General Paxton Sidesteps Deposition
The all-Republican court stepped in to block Paxton's deposition initially slated for Thursday morning. Paxton's request to pause proceedings to ponder the merits of his case was heeded by the apex court. The legal team who represent the aggrieved former aides, who are suing Paxton, have a deadline of February 29 to present arguments regarding why the deposition should go ahead at a future date.
The former aides contend that their employment terminations were unjust retribution for voicing allegations about Paxton to the FBI. They argued that Paxton misused his office to shield a friend and campaign donor who they said helped Paxton cover up an extramarital affair. These allegations emerged in the impeachment charges against Paxton last year, with the Senate eventually acquitting him.
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Short-lived Victory for Paxton Amid Continuing Legal Woes
Despite Paxton's escape from the hot seat, for now, he continues to juggle a multitude of legal threats against him. Paxton's potential legal woes include an upcoming April trial concerning state felony security fraud charges and a federal criminal investigation probing corruption allegations. During his impeachment trial, Paxton did not testify.
Meanwhile, Paxton has pursued every possible means to avoid deposition. Earlier this month, he declared his intent to stop fighting the facts of the whistleblower lawsuit. He promised to accept any judgment, a move critics brand as a blatant attempt to dodge testifying.
Paxton's Fight-back and the Senate's Quandary
Despite Paxton's persistent denial of wrongdoing, his aggressive maneuvering to stave off the deposition posed questions. He claims the move to stop contesting the case isn't a tacit admission of guilt. Instead, he frames it as an endeavor to end a costly, politically-tinged lawsuit. He's resorted to multiple appeals to stall the deposition, but often to no avail.
The initial offer from Paxton to settle the case out of court to $3.3 million, proposing that the state foot the bill, incited House lawmakers to institute their investigation. In a preliminary settlement, he agreed to apologize for dubbing his accusers as "rogue" employees.
The saga has spilled over to the political arena, with the dust yet to settle in this courtroom drama. At least one Republican state senator, a one-time ally who absolved Paxton in the impeachment trial, is now open to reconsidering the case. Does his changing stance suggest a chink in Paxton's armor, a sign the AG might wind up being the laughingstock of the Texas Senate?
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