Former top aides say Attorney General Ken Paxton received assistance with home remodel, job for [View all]
Former top aides say Attorney General Ken Paxton received assistance with home remodel, job for alleged girlfriend in return for helping political donor
A court filing documents what Paxtons whistleblowers believe led to an alleged bizarre, obsessive use of power.
by Alex Samuels and Kate McGee , Texas Tribune
Late last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton fired multiple senior aides who accused him of accepting a bribe. A court filing obtained by The Texas Tribune reveals for the first time what four of those aides believe Paxton received in exchange for helping a donor with his business affairs.
An updated version of a lawsuit filed by the four whistleblowers claims that Austin real estate developer Nate Paul helped Paxton remodel his house and gave a job to a woman with whom Paxton allegedly had an affair.
In return, the aides allege, Paxton used his office to help Pauls business interests, investigate Pauls adversaries and help settle a lawsuit. The claims in the filing provide even more details about what the former aides believe Paxtons motivations were in what they describe as a bizarre, obsessive use of power.
Some of Paxtons actions directing the [Office of the Attorney General] to benefit Paul were criminal without regard to motive, the amended petition reads. Others were so egregious and so contrary to appropriate use of his office, that they could only have been prompted by illicit motives such as a desire to repay debts, pay hush money, or reciprocate favors extended by Paul.
Read more:
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/11/ken-paxton-whistleblowers-texas-bribe/