Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt mounts challenge to Texas attorney general Ken Paxton
3 years, 5 months ago

Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt mounts challenge to Texas attorney general Ken Paxton

CNN  

CNN — Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt announced Tuesday that he’s running as Democrat for Texas attorney general, joining a competitive state race to take on Republican incumbent Ken Paxton. “Now I’m running for Texas Attorney General to make some real changes.” His clients have included the families of Botham Jean, Ahmaud Arbery, Marvin Scott III, Ronald Greene, Jonathan Price and Atatiana Jefferson. Merritt faces tough odds given that a Democrat hasn’t held the office of Texas attorney general in over two decades, or won statewide office since 1994. “Not those who are simply trying to exercise their right to vote.” His announcement comes as Texas Democrats are hoping to block state Republicans’ push for restrictive new voting laws during this legislative special session.

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History of this topic

'Ideal choice': Trump aide suggests this controversial state AG could be pick to lead DOJ
1 month ago

'Ideal choice': Trump aide suggests this controversial state AG could be pick to lead DOJ

Raw Story  

Now that former Rep. Matt Gaetz has officially withdrawn his name from consideration to be the next attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is quickly moving on to his next choice. According to a report in NYSun.com, Trump's next attorney general-designate could be Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Sun reported that an unnamed source "with close ties to Trump's …

Once the Texas GOP’s 'weak link,' Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerful
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Once the Texas GOP’s 'weak link,' Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerful

Raw Story  

"Once the Texas GOP’s “weak link,” Attorney General Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerful" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. It was another major vindication for Paxton after the Senate acquitted him of the House’s …

The Wild Fraud Case Against the Texas Attorney General Ends In an Ironic Twist
8 months, 3 weeks ago

The Wild Fraud Case Against the Texas Attorney General Ends In an Ironic Twist

Slate  

This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become. “Something is wrong when the state’s top lawyer is forced to take a class on how to be a good lawyer.” —Texas Democrat John Bucy III Three weeks before Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was …

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gets temporary reprieve from testifying in lawsuit against him
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gets temporary reprieve from testifying in lawsuit against him

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to temporarily halt state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s scheduled testimony in a whistleblower lawsuit that was at the heart of the impeachment charges brought against him in 2023, delaying what could have been the Republican’s first sworn statements on corruption allegations. The court gave attorneys for a group of former …

An emboldened Ken Paxton returns to a battered attorney general’s office
1 year, 3 months ago

An emboldened Ken Paxton returns to a battered attorney general’s office

Raw Story  

Sept. 18, 2023 "An emboldened Ken Paxton returns to a battered attorney general’s office" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. In the early years of Paxton’s tenure, conservative lawyers left plum positions working for right-wing law firms …

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment
1 year, 3 months ago

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment

Raw Story  

This article was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. The dramatic votes capped a two-week trial where a parade of witnesses, including former senior officials under Paxton, testified that the attorney general had repeatedly abused his office by …

Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted of corruption charges at historic impeachment trial
1 year, 3 months ago

Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted of corruption charges at historic impeachment trial

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was fully acquitted Saturday of corruption charges in a historic impeachment trial, a resounding verdict that reaffirms the power of the GOP’s hard right and puts an indicted incumbent who remains under FBI investigation back into office. In accusing Paxton of abusing his office, former advisers recounted how Texas’ top lawyer …

Prosecution rests at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial
1 year, 3 months ago

Prosecution rests at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A woman who was expected to testify about an extramarital affair with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made a sudden appearance Wednesday at his impeachment trial, but never took the stand as the prosecutors abruptly rested their case against the Republican. As the scene played out Wednesday evening, the attorney general posted on social media that he …

At impeachment, lawyer recounts Texas AG Ken Paxton supervising his investigation into FBI and judge
1 year, 3 months ago

At impeachment, lawyer recounts Texas AG Ken Paxton supervising his investigation into FBI and judge

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton coordinated through encrypted communications with a lawyer he hired to investigate law enforcement officials probing one of the Republican’s wealthy donors, the lawyer testified at Paxton’s impeachment trial Tuesday. Paxton’s hiring of Cammack in 2020 prompted eight of his top deputies to report the attorney general to law enforcement for allegedly committing …

Texas AG Ken Paxton’s affair took a toll on office, a former staffer says at impeachment trial
1 year, 3 months ago

Texas AG Ken Paxton’s affair took a toll on office, a former staffer says at impeachment trial

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — One of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ‘s former staffers testified Monday that the Republican’s extramarital affair took a toll on employees who had to work long and odd hours because of the secret relationship that is now a factor in his impeachment trial. Paxton had the affair with a woman who worked for local developer Nate …

Meet the 4 whistleblowers behind most of the impeachment allegations against Ken Paxton
1 year, 6 months ago

Meet the 4 whistleblowers behind most of the impeachment allegations against Ken Paxton

Raw Story  

When the Texas House impeached now-suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton last month, lawmakers relied heavily on allegations made by four men who were fired from top jobs at Paxton’s agency. “Blake is a fearless defender of the rule of law and conservative values.” A note from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to Blake Brickman, former deputy attorney general for policy …

Texas AG settles with former aides who reported him to FBI
1 year, 10 months ago

Texas AG settles with former aides who reported him to FBI

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has agreed to apologize and pay $3.3 million in taxpayer money to four former staffers who accused him of corruption in 2020, igniting an ongoing FBI investigation of the three-term Republican. “Attorney General Ken Paxton accepts that plaintiffs acted in a manner that they thought was right and apologizes for referring to them …

GOP’s Ken Paxton wins 3rd term as Texas attorney general
2 years, 1 month ago

GOP’s Ken Paxton wins 3rd term as Texas attorney general

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won reelection Tuesday, adding to Republicans’ decades of dominance in the state’s top offices despite a slew of legal problems and dysfunction in his agency. Paxton secured a third term as Texas’ top lawyer, setting up America’s biggest red state to continue mounting conservative legal challenges to the administration of Democratic President Joe …

Dysfunction in Texas AG’s office as Paxton seeks third term
2 years, 2 months ago

Dysfunction in Texas AG’s office as Paxton seeks third term

Associated Press  

GATESVILLE, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s staff this month quietly dropped a series of human trafficking and child sexual assault cases after losing track of one of the victims, a stumble in open court emblematic of broader dysfunction inside one of America’s most prominent law offices. “When you’re experiencing the type of climactic upheaval in an office, which …

Records: Texas attorney general fled home to avoid subpoena
2 years, 2 months ago

Records: Texas attorney general fled home to avoid subpoena

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ran out of his house and jumped into a truck driven by his wife, a state senator, to avoid being served a subpoena to testify Tuesday in an abortion access case, according to court documents. “It’s clear that the media wants to drum up another controversy involving my work as Attorney General, so …

Texas Attorney General Paxton defeats Bush in GOP runoff
2 years, 6 months ago

Texas Attorney General Paxton defeats Bush in GOP runoff

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won his Republican runoff election against Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush on Tuesday despite facing a slew of legal problems, including an FBI investigation and a trial on securities fraud charges. The wide gap underscored Paxton’s continued political durability and showed how much ground the 46-year-old scion of the Bush political …

Texas congressman joins GOP race for attorney general
3 years, 1 month ago

Texas congressman joins GOP race for attorney general

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert has joined the crowded field of Republicans mounting primary challenges against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Despite the federal investigation and long-standing legal problems, Paxton has remained competitive in his party’s primary and won former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Rather, he said in a video Monday that he backs many of the attorney …

Attorney Lee Merritt joins race for Texas attorney general
3 years, 5 months ago

Attorney Lee Merritt joins race for Texas attorney general

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Dallas civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who has represented the families of Black people killed by police, joined a crowded 2022 race for Texas attorney general Tuesday against embattled Republican incumbent Ken Paxton. Merritt, who said in March that he was planning to pursue the job of Texas’ top law enforcement officer, will have at least one other …

AP Exclusive: State bar investigating Texas attorney general
3 years, 6 months ago

AP Exclusive: State bar investigating Texas attorney general

Associated Press  

DALLAS — The Texas bar association is investigating whether state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election based on bogus claims of fraud amounted to professional misconduct. The State Bar of Texas initially declined to take up a Democratic Party activist’s complaint that Paxton’s petitioning of the U.S. Supreme Court to block Joe Biden’s victory …

FBI probe of Texas AG expands to look at home renovations
3 years, 10 months ago

FBI probe of Texas AG expands to look at home renovations

Associated Press  

DALLAS — The FBI is investigating renovations made to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s million-dollar home as part of an ongoing probe into allegations that the state’s highest-ranking attorney illegally helped a wealthy donor, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. Following the remarkable revolt that riled Texas politics, all of Paxton’s accusers quit or were fired and four …

Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general taking Trump’s voter fraud conspiracies to the Supreme Court
4 years ago

Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general taking Trump’s voter fraud conspiracies to the Supreme Court

CNN  

CNN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has fought in the courts for President Donald Trump’s causes before, has emerged as one of the final defenders of the President’s baseless claims of voter fraud in hopes of overturning the election. “Using the Covid-19 pandemic as a justification,” he wrote in the lawsuit, officials in the battleground states “usurped their …

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Join Widely Scorned Texas Election Lawsuit
4 years ago

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Join Widely Scorned Texas Election Lawsuit

NPR  

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Join Widely Scorned Texas Election Lawsuit Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP Election experts scoffed this week when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he would be filing a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against four key states in an attempt to block presidential electors from finalizing Joe Biden's election …

Ken Paxton: The rank hypocrisy of the Texas AG’s election case (opinion)
4 years ago

Ken Paxton: The rank hypocrisy of the Texas AG’s election case (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: James Moore is a political analyst, author and business communications consultant who has been writing and reporting on Texas politics since 1975. And when the Texas Republican attorney general filed a suit on Tuesday with the US Supreme Court on behalf of his state, he also became an even more rank hypocrite. The staffers insisted they had “a …

AP Explains: The FBI is investigating Texas AG Ken Paxton
4 years, 1 month ago

AP Explains: The FBI is investigating Texas AG Ken Paxton

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

AP Explains: The FBI is investigating Texas AG Ken Paxton
4 years, 1 month ago

AP Explains: The FBI is investigating Texas AG Ken Paxton

Associated Press  

DALLAS — The FBI recently opened a criminal investigation into claims that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton abused his office to benefit a wealthy donor. The FBI’s interest in Texas’ top law enforcement official arose from a rebellion by Paxton’s top deputies, who accused him of breaking the law by using his office to help a wealthy donor with a …

Texas AG taps investigator tied to donor’s defense attorney
4 years, 2 months ago

Texas AG taps investigator tied to donor’s defense attorney

Associated Press  

DALLAS — When Texas’ attorney general needed someone to probe a claim by one of his wealthy political donors alleging crimes by the FBI, he turned to a junior Houston lawyer with no prosecutorial experience, a modest criminal defense practice and ties to the donor’s defense attorney. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton said his own staff had been working to …

Texas congressman calls on state attorney general to resign
4 years, 2 months ago

Texas congressman calls on state attorney general to resign

Associated Press  

DALLAS — A Republican congressman from Texas became the most prominent member of his party to call for the resignation of the state’s Republican attorney general, Ken Paxton, after Paxton’s top deputies reported him to law enforcement for alleged crimes including bribery and abuse of office. Rep. Chip Roy, who was previously Paxton’s second in command in the attorney general’s …

Letter: Top deputies accuse Texas attorney general of crimes
4 years, 2 months ago

Letter: Top deputies accuse Texas attorney general of crimes

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Several top deputies of Texas’ attorney general have reported to law enforcement that their boss engaged in crimes including bribery and abuse of office, according to an internal letter. In a single-page letter to the director of human resources in the attorney general’s office, the seven senior lawyers wrote that they reported Republican Ken Paxton to “the appropriate …

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