He went on to face Fred Lusk (D) and Robert Worthington (L) for the newly redistricted open seat. The new rule would mean workers earning up to an annual salary of $47,500 would become eligible for overtime pay when working more than 40 hours per week. [116] Paxton explained, "But I think the good thing about finding it, and doing a thorough job of investigation and prosecution, is at least you send the message to people that if you're going to do this, there is some risk that youre going to end up in prison for committing voter fraud. [158][159] Paxton and Cook were former friends and roommates while serving together in the Texas House. "[103] If convicted he could be sentenced to 40 years in prison for the non-violent offense. [29], Paxton's wife, Angela Paxton, his closest political advisor, often opens up his events with a musical performance. [2] In his 2022 run, he faced a Republican primary opponent on May 24, George P. Bush, whom he defeated 68% to 32%, thus winning his party's nomination to advance to the 2022 Texas Attorney General election. [176] The trial court granted the motion, but in 2020, the 1st Court of Appeals in Houston blocked the case from being moved to Collin County pending further consideration of the matter. Among the signers of the LDAD complaint were four former presidents of the State Bar of Texas and a former chair of the Texas Supreme Court grievance oversight committee[208][209][210]. [53], In 2017, Paxton joined thirteen other state attorneys general in filing a friend-of-the-court briefs in defense of both Trump's first and second executive orders on travel and immigration primarily from majority-Muslim countries (informally referred to as the "Muslim ban"). Now he's accusing them of child abuse", "Texas Has Been Investigating the Briggle Family Because of Their Trans Son. [129] Because the suit was cast as a dispute between states, the Supreme Court had original jurisdiction, although it often declines to hear such suits. Paxton received 30,062 votes to Koster's 12,265 votes and Virasin's 1,222 votes. His statement said, "I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights. Paxton appealed the ruling, contending that the previous maps were lawful, and vowed to "aggressively defend the maps on all fronts"; U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett criticized the appeal as a "desperate, highly questionable Paxton-Abbott maneuver" coming "after yet another ruling against the state of Texas for intentional discrimination". [191] With the second dismissal of the case with prejudice, the SEC could not bring new action on the same claim against Paxton. He tried to get a Harris County elections official indicted and tried for alleged interference with a poll watcher, attempting to obtain that indictment in Montgomery County. "[151][152][153], On July 28, 2015, a state grand jury indicted Paxton on three criminal charges:[154] two counts of securities fraud (a first-degree felony) and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators (a third-degree felony). Texas Secretary of State (November 6, 2018). [69], In June 2015, after the issuance of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, in which the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, Paxton offered support for clerks who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. [188][189] The SEC refiled its securities fraud claims against Paxton, making the additional allegations that Paxton and Cook's investment club required all of its members to accept the same risks on all investments and that it specifically forbade members from making money off investments of other members. [149], In October 2021, Paxton falsely claimed that Biden "overthrew" Trump in the 2020 election. He paid the ensuing $1,000 fine, but it was just the tip of a series of investigations into Paxtons behavior . "[163] Paxton and his supporters claim that the prosecution has its origin in a dispute among Texas Republicans, with conservatives like Paxton on one side and moderates like Cook on the other, and suggest that Cook's complaint, several years after the Servergy deal, was political payback. [95], In 2015, the Texas State Legislature passed a law implementing property tax reductions by increasing the homestead exemption to $25,000 and prohibiting localities from reducing or repealing any local option homestead exemption already on the books. [91] Apple was ordered to pay $400 million to U.S. consumers who paid artificially-inflated prices for e-books, and $20 million to the states in reimbursement for legal costs. [51] The other Attorneys General who joined in making the threats to Trump included Steve Marshall of Alabama, Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Lawrence Wasden of Idaho, Derek Schmidt of Kansas, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Doug Peterson of Nebraska, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, and Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia. The decorative lenses, also marketed as costume, fashion or colored lenses, pose potential serious risks to eye health, including infections and loss of vision. He has pleaded not guilty. Philip Balli, "Two vie for state AG post". "[41] Paxton sued the city of Austin again in December 2020 when the city implemented restrictions preventing indoor dining and drinking on New Years weekend amid surging COVID-19 cases. The law imposes penalties on local officials who place restrictions on their police forces or other agencies' cooperation with immigration enforcement, and requires county jails to honor requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold detainees suspected of being eligible for deportation. [36][37] Paxton responded claiming that the process server "yelled unintelligibly, and charged toward me. [96], In 2016, three University of Texas at Austin professors sued in an effort to ban concealed handguns from campus, blocking the state's campus carry law. "[136] Republican Senator Ben Sasse opined that the situation of Paxton initiating the lawsuit "looks like a fella begging for a pardon filed a PR stunt", in reference to Paxton's own legal issues (securities fraud charges and abuse of office allegations). Gallagher also denied Paxton's motion to dismiss one of the charges against him because of issues which arose about the grand jury. Paxton has said the new regulations "may lead to disastrous consequences for our economy." [131] Paxton's lawsuit included claims that had been tried unsuccessfully in other courts and shown to be false. Paxton was in the Texas State Senate from 2013 until January 2015 when his term as Attorney General began. [citation needed], Paxton became a candidate for Texas attorney general when the incumbent Greg Abbott decided to run for governor to succeed the retiring Rick Perry. The station found just 24 of 138 people convicted of voter fraud between 2004 and September 2020 spent time in jail. [112] Paxton had also filed charges against Hervis Rogers, a Black man who was working two jobs. In 2016, Paxton was one of eleven Republican state attorneys general who sided with ExxonMobil in the company's suit to block a climate change probe by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Paxton says the required reductions would cost the state jobs, push electricity costs too high, and threaten reliability on the electrical grid. [169] In May 2017, the Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas agreed with Paxton that the transfer of Paxton's trial to Houston required assignment of the case to a new judge to replace Judge Gallagher and all orders issued by Judge Gallagher after the change of venue were voided. [54][55], In May 2017, Paxton filed a preemptive lawsuit designed to ascertain the constitutionality of the new Texas law imposing penalties on sanctuary cities, known as SB 4, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. Retrieved on November 10, 2018. Paxton issued a request to intervene in the case, stating: "What is Exxon Mobil's transgression? [187], In March 2017, Mazzant dismissed the civil securities fraud case, ruling that Paxton "no plausible legal duty" to inform investors that he would earn a commission if they purchased stock in a technical company that Paxton represented. He has been suffering [16] Paxton won re-election in 2006, defeating Rick Koster (D) and Robert Virasin (L). [116] The costs of the 230 ongoing investigations and 360 prosecutions were formidable: The chief of election fraud is paid about $140,000, a second attorney received $97,000. Paxton appealed the ruling, contending that the previous maps were lawful, and vowed to "aggressively defend the maps on all fronts"; U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett criticized the appeal as a "desperate, highly questionable Paxton-Abbott maneuver" coming "after yet another ruling against the state of Texas for intentional discrimination". It causes poor vision in just one look. Heres a timeline of his legal drama. Ken Paxtons criminal trial has been pending for nearly four years. [42] In March 2021, Paxton filed a lawsuit against Austin as well as Travis County, this time for the city and county continuing their local mask wearing requirements after Governor Abbott had signed an order ending the statewide mask-wearing mandate. "[58] Paxton has said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is trying to "force Texas to change how we regulate energy production" through an "unprecedented expansion of federal authority. His parents and their three children lived in a trailer, often without air conditioning, parked outside wherever his father was temporarily stationed. [117], In May 2020, Paxton opposed an expansion of absentee voting to voters who lack immunity to COVID-19. Paxton sued the Obama administration over a new rule by the United States Department of Labor which would make five million additional workers eligible for overtime pay. About | Established medical practice allows for puberty blockers to be explored after initial signs of puberty, although evidence for their use is still evolving. The pen was later returned. [90], In 2012, Paxton was part of a lawsuit by 33 state attorneys general against Apple, charging the company with violating antitrust laws by conspiring with publishers to artificially raise the prices of electronic books. "R.I.P. Several other state attorneys general turned down the offer to file the suit. The Supreme Court heard the case, United States v. Texas, and issued a split 4-4 ruling in the case in June 2016. Paxton became a candidate for Texas attorney general when the incumbent Greg Abbott decided to run for governor to succeed the retiring Rick Perry. At various times, they lived in Florida, New York, North Carolina, California, and Oklahoma. [56] The suit asked the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas to clarify whether the law is at odds with the Fourth and Fourteenth constitutional amendments or is not in conflict with some other federal law. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Paxton threatened to file lawsuits against local governments unless they rescinded stay-at-home orders and rescinded rules regarding the use of face masks to combat the spread of coronavirus. [148], In early 2021, Paxton's office refused to provide his work emails and text messages he sent or received while in Washington on January 6, after several Texas news organizations requested them in accordance with the state's open records law. [125][126] The Republican Party of Texas opposed the expansion of voting by mail and other accommodations, and filed its own legal actions seeking to stop Hollins through the court system. Mateer eventually gave Paxton a big stack of papers with policies related to contracts.. Paxton has described himself as a Tea Party conservative. In September 2022, a process server alleged in an affidavit for the court that when he attempted to serve a subpoena to Paxton at his home, he saw Paxton coming to the door but turning back; Paxton's wife answered the door saying Paxton was on the phone, with the process server stati The case has gone directly to the U.S. Supreme Court because it is a dispute among states. [13], Paxton worked at Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. ", "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton headed for felony fraud trial after high court refuses his last appeal", "Paxton will plead not guilty, ask for jury trial", Paxton Pleads Not Guilty; Lead Lawyer Quits Case, "Texas AG Ken Paxton appeals fraud case again in final attempt to quash felony indictments", Texas AG Paxton to stand trial in December, judge rules, "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won't go on trial for alleged crimes before Election Day experts say", Criminal case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will return to his native Collin County, judge rules, Houston appeals court won't let Ken Paxton criminal trial move to Collin County, for now, Judge decides to move Paxtons trial to another county, "Appeals court backs Ken Paxton bid for new judge", Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rules against prosecutors in Ken Paxton payment case, In fiery filing, Ken Paxton prosecutors ask Texas court to undo "patently absurd result" in pay case, "Criminal case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton remains threatened after court upholds prosecutor pay decision", "Special prosecutor asks to step down from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's case", "Indicted AG Ken Paxton seeks to move his criminal case to his home turf", "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's criminal case to be heard in Collin County, appeals court rules", "Lawyers prosecuting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's fraud case challenge decision to move trial back to his home county", "Court temporarily halts transfer of Ken Paxton criminal trial from Houston", "Ken Paxton's criminal case can be heard in his hometown of Collin County, after appeals court refuses to reconsider", "AG Ken Paxton's criminal trial should return to his home county, appeals court says, again", "Texas Court of Criminal Appeals adds AG Paxton securities fraud case to docket", SEC: Company Misled Investors About Energy-Efficient Technology, SEC sues Texas AG Ken Paxton for securities fraud; his lawyer 'vehemently denies' claims, SEC accuses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of fraud, Feds charge Texas AG Ken Paxton with fraud, "SEC revives federal fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton", "Texas Attorney General Paxton Gets SEC Fraud Suit Tossed", "In Ken Paxton Case, SEC Lawyers Face Skeptical Judge", "SEC revises, refiles fraud complaint against Ken Paxton". Welcome to Election 2020 in Harris County", "Outrage as Texas governor orders closure of multiple ballot drop-off sites", "Texas Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Harris County From Sending Mail-in Ballot Applications To All Its Voters", "Texas GOP launches avalanche of bills to curtail voting", "Trump thought courts were key to winning. [151] In December 2016, Paxton gained attention after intervening in a dispute in Killeen, Texas, in which a middle school principal told a nurse's aide to take down a six-foot poster in the school containing a quote from Christian scripture. Paul has acknowledged employing the woman, but denied that he had done so on Paxton's behalf. Judge tosses civil fraud charges against Attorney General Ken Paxton, "Top aides accuse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of bribery, abusing office", Top aides to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have accused him of bribery and abuse of office, "Second whistleblower fired from Texas attorney general's office after accusing Ken Paxton of bribery", "All seven of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Whistleblowers Have Resigned, Been Fired or Put On Leave", "AP Sources: FBI is investigating Texas attorney general", "AP sources: Texas AG's affair tied to criminal allegations", As Whistleblowers Keep Up Court Fight, Ken Paxton Isn't Stepping Back, Ken Paxton whistleblower case can go on, appellate court rules, though appeal likely, "Ken Paxton asks appeals court to toss whistleblower case brought by former top aides", "Texas appellate justices appear skeptical of Attorney General Ken Paxton defense that he's exempt from state's whistleblower law", Office of Attorney General of Texas v. Brickman, "Appeals court allows whistleblower lawsuit from former employees who accused Ken Paxton of bribery to proceed", "State bar investigating Texas attorney general", "Ethics complaints filed against Texas AG Ken Paxton for efforts to overturn 2020 election", "Professional Responsibility Investigation of Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr", "Prominent Attorneys File Extraordinary Ethics ComplaintAgainst Texas Attorney General Paxton", Race Summary Report 2022 General Election, Race Summary Report 2018 General Election, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ken_Paxton&oldid=1134459869, Republican Party members of the Texas House of Representatives, University of Virginia School of Law alumni, Articles with dead external links from February 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from October 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia pending changes protected pages, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 18 January 2023, at 20:26. The Frisco Independent School District superintendent, in a letter sent in response to Paxton, called his press release "a publicity stunt by the [Office of Attorney General] to politicize a nonissue.