Whistleblower lawsuit against Ken Paxton will proceed

Allegations surrounding Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appeared to be put to rest after he was acquitted on all 16 charges at his impeachment trial, but a whistleblower lawsuit is prolonging the saga that involves Austin real estate tycoon Nate Paul.

The Texas Supreme Court denied Paxton’s request to drop the whistleblower case, meaning the AG and his legal team must once again fight the accusations that led to his impeachment, the San Antonio Express-News reported. 

Paxton’s request had been put on hold after a proposed $3.3 million settlement with four former aides who accused him of accepting bribes and abuse of power. Paul, CEO of World Class Holdings, was one of the people who allegedly bribed Paxton. So Paul may end up having his day in court after all. He was nowhere to be seen during the impeachment trial. 

The Supreme Court’s denial of Paxton’s request for review upholds a lower court ruling that allows the former aides to sue under the Texas Whistleblower Act. Paxton’s legal team had argued that he is an elected official and not a public employee, making the whistleblower law inapplicable.

The former aides originally filed their lawsuit in 2020, alleging retaliation for reporting Paxton to law enforcement and accusing him of misusing state resources to benefit Paul. Their testimony played a central role in Paxton’s impeachment proceedings.

“For us, this case has always been about more than money,” Blake Brickman, one of the former aides, told the outlet. “It’s about truth. It’s about justice. And although political pressure may have thwarted justice this month, we will continue our fight.”

Paxton was accused of obstructing a charity’s civil suit against Paul, helping him avoid property foreclosures and federal investigations officials probing Paul’s alleged criminal activity, all in exchange for personal favors. Paul, who pleaded not guilty, faces federal charges of making false statements to lenders.

—Quinn Donoghue 

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