Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, has consented to a$ 300,000 compensation agreement that will eliminate all claims of securities fraud.
On March 26, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won a significant legal and political victory when prosecutors dropped a long-running assets fraud case against him in a$ 300, 000 compensation agreement without making any pretenses.
” Look, we’re glad to have this matter behind ]us]. This situation has been pending more than the Beatles were together—literally”, Mr. Paxton’s defense lawyer, Dan Cogdell, told investigators outside a Houston court on March 26.
” It’s been nine years, and now marks the end of what, in our opinion, may have happened a long time ago”, he added.
Mr. Paxton’s legal crisis started in 2015 when he was accused of three criminal securities fraud counts that could have resulted in a possible life sentence. He was charged with defrauding investors in a software company in the Dallas-area by failing to disclose that the business was paying him to hire them.
In an internet to his followers, Mr. Paxton stated that he anticipated being “fully vindicated” when the charges were brought against him in 2015.
Then, nine years later, the position offered Mr. Paxton a deal to settle the case. His lawyer told investigators,” The state has made an offer, which we have accepted, to dismiss the case upon Mr. Paxton doing a few things”.
Related Tales
One of the things Mr. Paxton may be required to do under the 18- month post- prosecution agreement is to spend$ 300, 000 in reparation to victims. Additionally, he has full 15 hours of constitutional ethics education and 100 hours of community support. Critically for Mr. Paxton, the offer does not involve any admission of guilt.
” He is more than happy to comply with that deal”, Mr. Cogdell said. ” It is not a plea deal. He did n’t plea, there is no admission of guilt, there will never be an admission of guilt because he’s not guilty.
” We’re delighted to have this behind us, “he added.
Mr. Paxton was existing in the court, according to The Associated Press, and affirmed to state District Judge Andrea Beall that he had signed the agreement.
The deal, which also allows him to continue serving in his elected position and does n’t have an impact on his law license, has been reached out to Mr. Paxton via The Epoch Times for comment.
The lawsuit represents another gain for Mr. Paxton, who, in September 2023, was acquitted on 16 articles of impeachment.
Mr. Paxton is commonly viewed as one of the most popular U. S. legal liberals, taking up concerns defending religious liberty, the Second Amendment, and the right to existence.
Impeachment Drama
Next month, Mr. Paxton was impeached by Texas’s GOP- led House on allegations including corruption and abuse of power.
The claims center on claims that Mr. Paxton allegedly assisted Nate Paul, a Texas real estate developer, while he was being investigated by the federal government.
In October 2020, a number of major deputies in Mr. Paxton’s company told the FBI that they believed the solicitor common had used his business to enable Mr. Paul, who had donated$ 25, 000 to Mr. Paxton’s reelection campaign in 2018.
All of the reporters resigned or were fired, leading to a national investigation into Mr. Paxton’s claims.
The Department of Justice eventually took over the research, charging Mr. Paul on June 6, 2023, with making false statements to control financial institutions’ actions on mortgage applications.
Mr. Paxton, who was elected as Texas attorney general in November 2022, has not been charged with any provincial crimes.
The allegations against Mr. Paul were included in 16 articles of impeachment against him, which included allegations of corruption and abuse of public faith.
For example, the articles accused Mr. Paxton of benefiting from Mr. Paul’s renovations to his house in exchange for” positive legal assistance “and” professional access” to the attorney general’s office.
However, after eight days of testimony, Texas state senators voted on Sept. 16, 2023, to acquit Mr. Paxton on all 16 articles of impeachment.
Acquittal
Tony Buzbee, Mr. Paxton’s defense attorney, claimed that the impeachment was a pointless attack by political rivals who wanted to stifle a formidable opponent who supported numerous conservative causes.
Mr. Paxton’s acquittal was met with positive and negative reactions.
Donald Trump, the former president, praised the impeachment while also criticizing it.
” Congrats to Attorney General Ken Paxton for a fantastic and historic VICTORY in the size of Texas. President Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social,” I also want to congratulate his wonderful wife and family for having to go through this ordeal and succeeding.”
By contrast, Rick Wilson, who co- founded the Lincoln Project, a political action committee established by former Republicans opposed to President Trump, criticized Mr. Paxton’s acquittal.
