Paxton may be losing favor among some within his party. About Us, Last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported Republican members of the state's Senate Finance Committee questioned Paxton on giving raises, a legal settlement he’d endorsed and his decision to hire expensive outside lawyers to sue Google. It remains unclear when Paxton left. On Thursday, The Texas Tribune reported it had obtained a court filing revealing what four former Paxton aides believe was at the center of an illegal quid pro quo. These are not Trump supporters. In 2015, he already had felony securities fraud charges hanging over his head. In late 2020, Paxton fired several senior aides after they accused him of accepting a bribe, according to The Texas Tribune. Out of all the “egregious” things Paxton has done in office, the worst may have been his effort to overturn the results of the presidential election, Malitz said. "Attorney General Paxton attended a previously planned meeting with the attorney general of Utah to discuss several matters," Prior said, listing a law enforcement scenario simulator demonstration and "strategizing" on a Google lawsuit as some of the reasons for the travel. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. The Dallas Observer may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. “There’s a long list of reasons why [Paxton] should go,” Malitz said, “and somehow, corruption is kind of middle of the pack.”. Support the independent voice of Dallas and help keep the future of Dallas Observer free. Ken Paxton's spokesman Ian Prior told the Houston Chronicle that he left to meet with his counterpart in Utah, Attorney General Sean Reyes (R), for a "previously planned meeting" to … Paul’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment. Dallas Morning News first broke the story on Paxton’s out-of-state trip. In December, Paxton sued four states where President Joe Biden won, an unsuccessful effort that would have effectively disenfranchised millions of voters. Instead, he’s used his platform for media grandstanding, attacking political opponents and waging a culture war. “It gets more and more absurd the further it gets,” he said. Ian Prior, a spokesperson for Paxton’s campaign, denied Friday that the personnel decisions had anything to do with their accusations against Paxton. ©2021 Dallas Observer, LP. We use cookies to collect and analyze information on site performance and usage, and to enhance and customize content and advertisements. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy. which was first reported by the Dallas Morning News, Sen. Ted Cruz was spotted on a plane headed to Cancun. The moves come as the state grapples with budget restraints. Paxton's campaign spokesperson, Ian Prior, would not tell CNN when the couple had departed or returned but said the attorney general "did not leave Texas until after power had returned to most of the state, including his own home.". (CNN)Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, left Texas and traveled to Utah last week while the state was being rocked by severe winter storms. Facebook Twitter. Not the notoriously ethical Ken Paxton!! He said the purpose of … An internal email obtained by The Texas Tribune showed the complaints had been examined by senior aides, who found them meritless. Rather, he insinuated that the left-wing group antifa was to blame. Ian Prior, the Republican operative now serving as Paxton's spokesperson, promoted this story to other Texas media in lieu of addressing their questions directly. Ian Prior, Paxton’s political spokesman, said in an emailed statement the attorney general didn’t act improperly. Circulation, Ken Paxton speaks at the Partnerships to Eradicate Human Trafficking in the Americas' at the 2019 Concordia Americas Summit on May 14, 2019, in Bogota, Colombia. That morning, Paxton delivered a speech at Trump's “Stop the Steal” rally; hours later, a right-wing mob stormed the Capitol. According to the aides, Paxton helped Austin real estate developer Nate Paul’s business affairs. Last year, The Associated Press reported he’d become the subject of an FBI investigation, but so far, he’s avoided facing legal repercussions. As a result, he's faced swift backlash from Democratic politicians in the state, including Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa, who said in a, Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and Texas native Julian Castro similarly. Spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement that the attorney general “did not leave Texas until after power had returned to … “The routine hypocrisy of him claiming to be a law enforcement official while facing these charges is just extraordinary.”. Paxton isn’t. https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/20/texas-ken-paxton-pay-for-play Paxton’s lawyers and his spokesman, Ian Prior, did not respond to requests for comment. Following The Tribune's article, the Texas Democratic Party was quick to skewer the attorney general, with Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa calling him an “embarrassment to Texas.”. In October, he slammed his former aides as “rogue employees” and denied their bribery allegations. Ian Prior, Paxton’s political spokesman, said in an emailed statement the attorney general didn’t act improperly. In exchange, Paul helped remodel the attorney general’s $1 million home and gave a job to Paxton’s mistress. It’s unlikely that the attorney general will resign, but he should, said Zack Malitz, treasurer of the anti-Paxton Boot Texas Republicans Political Action Committee. The lawsuit itself appears long on accusations but short on details. Ian Prior, Paxton's campaign spokesman, called Turner's statement "utterly unhinged and absurd." Paul accused federal and state authorities of wrongdoing related to a raid on his home and office in 2019. "The attorney general is absolutely against politically motivated violence of any kind," Prior said. A Big Cat Got Loose in Texas. "Any accusations that the attorney general acted contrary to the law are completely false and they will be proven false in court," Ian Prior, a political spokesperson for Paxton, said. Greg... North Texans are Ready for 'Normal' Life. They slammed his actions as a “bizarre, obsessive use of power.”. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images Spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement that the attorney general "did not leave Texas until after power had returned to most of the state, including his own home." “He’s abused power for a mistress, you know?” Rahman told the Observer. Paxton, meanwhile, has long claimed innocence. Spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement that the attorney general “did not leave Texas until after power had returned to … “Maybe he thinks people experiencing homelessness should do some public corruption to get houses bought and remodeled; I’m not sure,” he said. By clicking 'X' or continuing to use the site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Contact Us, Join the Observer community and help support independent local journalism in Dallas. Ian Prior, a spokesperson for Paxton’s campaign, denied Friday that the personnel decisions had anything to do with their accusations against Paxton. https://t.co/prHkpP7pr6. – Zack Malitz, treasurer of Boot Texas Republicans PAC Not the notoriously ethical Ken Paxton!!! To find out more, visit our cookies policy and our privacy policy. It remains unclear when Paxton left. Careers, "Any accusations that the attorney general acted contrary to the law are completely false and they will be proven false in court,” Prior said. Scandal has enshrouded Paxton his entire time as Texas’ top law enforcement official. If the latest allegations are true, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton might be sleeping in the doghouse. That's something Texans have been doing across the state," said Cruz, who had said in an earlier statement that he had flown to Mexico because his daughters had asked to take a trip and he was trying to be a "good dad.". Luckily for him, he knows a guy who can renovate it. Tiger Queen Carole Baskin... Abortions Will Soon Be Much Harder to Get in Texas. Spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement that the attorney general “did not leave Texas until after power had returned to … Prior said Paxton and Reyes met to discuss an antitrust lawsuit against Google and attend a demonstration of a law enforcement simulation. According to DMN, Paxton’s campaign spokesman Ian Prior claimed that the … The aides said the attorney general had investigated Paul's rivals and assisted him in settling a lawsuit, according to that article. Prior is a spokesman for Paxton’s … Prior said that “Maxwell was fired for violating agency policies” and Penley “omitted or misrepresented to a court materials facts, as well as other policy violations,” according to the article. Ian Prior, a spokesman for Paxton's campaign, denied Friday that the personnel decisions had anything to do with their accusations against Paxton. It remains unclear when Paxton left. Privacy, A Paxton spokesperson, Ian Prior, said in a statement that the Times took Paxton's comments out of context. It remains unclear when Paxton left. By Paul LeBlanc, Samira Said and Deanna Hackney, CNN, Updated 0009 GMT (0809 HKT) February 24, 2021. Staff, Meanwhile, Ian Prior, Paxton’s campaign spokesman, said the attorney general’s intervention was an effort to “encourage a settlement to stop the wasting of assets that were being diverted from charitable beneficiaries to lawyers.” Ian Prior, a political spokesman for Paxton, said the attorney general — who has called the aides’ allegations false — “is absolutely planning on running again, is looking forward to winning a third term and is never going to stop fighting for the people of Texas.” Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we would like to keep it that way. Support Us Ian Prior, Paxton’s political spokesman, confirmed Maxwell and Penley’s firings last week. Paxton has also spread conspiracy theories regarding the Jan. 6 insurrection, claiming on Twitter that supporters of former President Donald Trump were not to blame for the U.S. Capitol invasion. The allegations didn’t come as a shock to some. As Texas attorney general, Paxton is responsible for overseeing key aspects of the state's response to the devastating winter storm. Meanwhile, Ian Prior, Paxton’s campaign spokesman, said the attorney general’s intervention was an effort to “encourage a settlement to stop the wasting of … “This is everything people hate about politics, and Ken Paxton should be held accountable for it.” (The claims about a mistress have not been proven in court.). Underlying this legal battle is a personal one between Paxton and … Democratic state Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie has called for an investigation into Paxton following Jan. 6. "Any accusations that the attorney … The attorney general consistently puts his personal life ahead of public service, state Democratic party spokesman Abhi Rahman said. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. Terms, Nooooo! He also resisted calls for his resignation. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. There’s not much evidence Paxton takes his job seriously, Malitz added. In 2018, the real estate developer had also donated $25,000 to Paxton’s reelection campaign. A Paxton spokesperson, Ian Prior, said in a statement that the Times took Paxton's comments out of context. pic.twitter.com/ptcNp2lzrG. “What the Attorney General said was that typically, when … “Nooooo! Ian Prior, a political spokesman for Paxton, confirmed the moves Monday. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/22/politics/ken-paxton-texas-storm-travel As an official elected to federal office, Cruz doesn't have an on-the-ground role in the response to the storm, but natural disasters are often a time in which constituents reach out to their elected officials for help and access to resources. The Legislature should impeach him, he added. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Dallas with no paywalls. Paxton spokesman Ian Prior told the Dallas Morning News that the attorney general's trip had been planned in advance of the blizzard. Last week, Paxton’s office threatened to take action against the city of Austin for buying a hotel to house the homeless, Malitz said. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Dallas Restaurant Directory: Takeout/Delivery/Dine-in, Political Donor Gave AG Ken Paxton's Mistress a Job, Renovated his Home, Former Aides Say, In Fort Worth, Democrats and Republicans Eye Seat Left Behind by U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, Boot Texas Republicans Political Action Committee. "What the Attorney General said … (The conservative has long framed himself as a crusader for Christian causes.). Paxton campaign spokesman Ian Prior said the article took Paxton’s words out of context. "I started having second thoughts almost the moment I sat down on the plane, because on the one hand, all of us who are parents have a responsibility to take care of our kids, take care of our family. All rights reserved. Spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement that the attorney general “did not leave Texas until after power had returned to … CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: California Privacy Policy | California Collection Notice | Do Not Sell My Info. Help, Dallas' independent source of local news and culture. Gov. It might also be an uphill battle for Paxton… Paxton had inscribed it with a congratulatory note for Blake Brickman, and presented it personally at the meeting of about 20 people. "What the Attorney General said … Malitz said attorney generals have to be “squeaky clean” to be credible. “It gets more and more absurd the further it gets." !” MSNBC host Chris Hayes said in a tweet. While state officials work to turn the lights back on for the Texas households still in the dark and to address widespread water disruptions, some residents are facing damage that could take weeks -- or months -- to recover from. Paxton’s spokesperson, Ian Prior, said the attorney general flew to Utah with his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, as part of a “previously planned trip.” “While there, AG Paxton had a number of meetings with the Utah Attorney General over the course of several days,” Prior said. Helped Austin real estate developer Nate Paul ’ s mistress job seriously, Malitz.! 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