For the first time in Texas history, the state attorney general has been impeached. After a 121-23 vote in the Texas House, Ken Paxton is now suspended from performing his duties until the Senate holds a trial on 20 articles of impeachment. He is accused of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction. Paxton has been mired in scandal and served under a cloud of criminal charges for most of his tenure as the state’s top lawyer.
The attorney general, reelected last year by voters who shrugged off his scandals, is accused of a yearslong pattern of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking. The full House is expected to consider the articles soon. Full Story
A Texas Tribune review of the investigators’ employment history, voting records and campaign donations found a lack of support for the attorney general’s claim. Full Story
Many allegations against Paxton were already known, but the airing of them revealed the scope of the investigation by the committee, which has the power to recommend censure or impeachment. Full Story
The dramatic turn of events began with Paxton accusing Phelan of presiding over the House while drunk. Phelan’s office called it a ploy and “a last ditch effort to save face.” Full Story
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