Photo: Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty
Republican Texas Attorney GeneralKen Paxtonis facing removal from office after a Texas House committee — with a Republican majority — voted unanimously on Thursday to file 20 articles of impeachment against him.
The state House will next determine whether to approve the articles of impeachment against Paxton, who wasindicted on felony securities fraud chargesmonths after taking office as attorney general in 2015. (Paxton has pleaded not guilty and the trial has yet to take place.)
Here’s what to know about the case for impeachment, Paxton’s controversial background, and his wife’s role in the proceedings.
Ken and Angela Paxton.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty
Why would Paxton be impeached?
Those accusations have led to a federal investigation into whether Paxtonabused his officeto help the donor, Austin real estate investor Nate Paul.
Committee investigators have alleged that Paxton committed at least three felonies in an effort to assist Paul with his own various legal issues, theTexas Tribunereports. Among the investigators' allegations are that Paxton spent $72,000 in staff labor to benefit the real estate investor and that he provided Paul with an internal FBI document about an investigation into him.
Paxton has denied wrongdoing but has agreed to a $3.3 million settlement with the four former staffers who served as whistleblowers in the case. He is currently asking the state legislature toapprove the use of taxpayer funds to cover the settlement.
How the impeachment process works
On Thursday, a committee comprised of three Republicans and two Democrats voted unanimously to recommend Paxton be impeached and removed from office. Per theTribune, the committee cited20 accusations— including bribery and obstruction of justice — against Paxton.
If the House decides to impeach him, Paxton would next face a Senate trial. The Texas Constitution outlines that Paxton would be suspended from his role as state attorney general office pending the outcome of a Senate trial.
Ken Paxton.Tony Gutierrez/AP/Shutterstock
Paxton’s past controversies
Paxton has previously courted controversy for takinga leading rolein the failed Supreme Court case aimed at overturning the results of the 2020 election, whichJoe Bidenwon overDonald Trump.
In 2021, he again found himself in the headlines, when he and his wife fled to Utah amid unusually cold temperatures and punishing snow and ice that led to millions of Texans losing power.
Ken and Angela Paxton.Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP
His wife’s role in the impeachment
One of the more interesting twists in the case against Paxton is that his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, could vote on whether or not to impeach him if the case moved to a Senate trial.The Houston Chroniclereports that Angela, a former school guidance counselor, could also seek to recuse herself.
Paxton and his wife made headlines in September, when he fled his home while being served a subpoena (and, according to the process server, drove away from the scene with his wife rather than accept the papers).
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source: people.com
