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The Texas House adopted 20 articles of impeachment against state Attorney General Ken Paxton in late May on a 121-23 vote, with 60 Republicans in favor as 23 opposed. Paxton was immediately suspended from office, without pay, upon approval of House Resolution 2377.
When the Senate adopted its rules for the trial, however, senators elected to hear evidence on 16 articles — holding four in abeyance that were largely related to 2015 criminal charges against Paxton for private business deals in 2011 and 2012. At the end of the trial, a majority of senators can vote to dismiss the four remaining articles, but if the motion to dismiss is rejected, the presiding officer will set a trial date on those four accusations.
With the Senate sitting as a court of impeachment beginning Monday, these 16 articles will form the basis of Paxton's trial:
Paxton violated the duties of his office by failing to protect a charitable organization by directing employees to intervene in a lawsuit between the nonprofit Mitte Foundation and Austin real estate investor Nate Paul, a Paxton friend and political donor. “Paxton harmed the Mitte Foundation in an effort to benefit Paul,” the resolution said.
Paxton misused his official power to issue written legal opinions to help Paul avoid foreclosure sales...
Kathryn Lynn Earp, a former Union County school employee, faces charges of obtaining property by false pretenses after allegedly submitting fraudulent mileage claims UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A former U...