A Texas House committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that state attorney general Ken Paxton be indicted and removed from office.
The state House of Representatives could vote on the recommendation as early as Friday.
the five members The investigative committee led by the Republican Party met on Wednesday to discuss allegations of wrongdoing against Paxton, a fellow Republican and the state’s top attorney.
Investigators of the General Investigative Commission of the Chamber told the panelI there was evidence that Paxton had repeatedly violated state laws, including misuse of official information, abuse of official capacity, and retaliation.
Paxton tweeted the accusations against him were based on “hearsay and gossip, repeating long-disproved claims” and being defended by “RINO,” Republicans in name only.
Chris Hilton, head of general litigation for Paxton’s office, called the committee’s investigation «unlawful.» He said «impeachment is completely precluded under Texas law» in Paxton’s case because the alleged misconduct predates his most recent election.
Some of the allegations against Paxton go back years.
He has been awaiting trial on an indictment on state securities fraud charges since 2015. He was sued in 2020 by four of his former aides, who claimed he fired them for reporting him to federal police for allegedly taking bribes and using his office to help out. one of his campaign collaborators.
The parties reached a $3.3 million settlement earlier this year, but the Texas Legislature has refused to use taxpayer money to pay for the settlement. The House committee began its investigation after the settlement agreement.
Paxton’s office, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night, denied any wrongdoing and maintained that all the allegations against him are politically motivated.
If the full House votes to impeach Paxton, he would be immediately removed pending a trial on the charges in the state Senate, the Texas Tribune informed.
Hilton told reporters in Austin that voters were aware of the allegations against Paxton and re-elected him anyway last November. “The voters have spoken: they want Ken Paxton as their attorney general,” Hilton said.
The Associated Press contributed.