Paxton’s Problems

Texas taxpayers likely to foot $3 million bill in lawsuit settlement

Back in 2020, four former top aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit alleging they were fired for blowing the whistle on what they believed was unlawful conduct.

The four had reported Paxton to the FBI on allegations of bribery, improper influence, abuse of office and other crimes. The matter is still under federal investigation.

This month, Paxton reached a $3.3 million settlement with the four whistleblowers to settle the lawsuit. But although, according to the Austin American-Statesman, he has more than $2 million in his campaign war chest, it doesn’t look like he’ll be parting with any of it.

No, the AG expects Texas taxpayers to foot the bill. And that’s what will almost certainly happen.

You see, the whistleblowers’ lawsuit was against the AG’s office, not Paxton personally. The state has already spent around $600,000 defending the case and the tab could be much higher if the Legislature doesn’t agree to pay the settlement.

So while it may leave a bad taste in the mouths of lawmakers — even some fellow Republicans — it looks like they’ll have to pony up.

This wasn’t the first time Paxton’s ethics in office had com under fire. He has in the past faced charges involving securities fraud and professional misconduct. Even Texas GOP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn called Paxton’s legal and ethical issues “a source of embarrassment.”

The AG has always denied any wrongdoing. And the voters apparently believe him. He was elected to a third term in November.

One has to wonder how much more Texas voters — taxpayers — will have to shell out for that decision.