DALLAS (AP) – Two people tell The Associated Press that the FBI is investigating allegations that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton committed crimes in using his office to benefit a wealthy donor.
The people have knowledge of the investigation and insisted on anonymity to discuss it because the probe is ongoing.
They say federal agents are looking into claims by former members of Paxton’s staff that the high-profile Republican committed bribery and abuse of office in assisting Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. Paxton told the Austin American-Statesman that his former employees’ allegations “are overblown, based upon assumptions, and to a large degree misrepresent the facts.”
Read Paxton’s full statement:
“If you relied only on recent headlines, you might not know that the Office of the Texas Attorney General is among the best in the United States. Just this week, the Child Support Division, under my leadership, surpassed $4.8 billion in collections, more than any other state in the nation. We continue – uninterrupted – to protect consumers, advocate for crime victims, lead the battle against human trafficking and provide superior legal representation on behalf of the state of Texas.
After reviewing the claims made by former employees of this office, their allegations are overblown, based upon assumptions, and to a large degree misrepresent the facts. Unfortunately, these attorneys chose to air their grievances through the media and through the courts, rather than established and objective internal processes. Given these circumstances, we will be fully prepared to address these allegations through the judicial system, if necessary.
Unfortunately, I know a little something about being falsely accused and being forced to counter allegations that are the result of overreach by prosecutors and law enforcement. I make no apologies for being a fierce investigator and defender of individual rights in the face of potentially unreasonable and authoritarian actions. Doing so is not favoritism, it is doing what the people of Texas expect from every law enforcement agency, their Attorney General, and the staff of this office.
In the meantime, rest assured that we continue to do the Peoples’ business in pursuit of liberty and justice for Texas.
