AUSTIN — The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says a group of whistleblowers who sued the agency should have known it could take years to get legislative approval to fund their proposed settlement.
In a response filed with the Supreme Court of Texas on Monday, Solicitor General Judd Stone argued it’s not the agency’s fault that lawmakers may not fund the $3.3 million settlement this year and accused the four whistleblowers of “coordinating with the media” to influence the negotiations.
“Respondents knew and should have known that such approval would likely be controversial and could take at least one additional legislative session,” Stone wrote. “Respondents also should have known that large settlements or judgments can lead to disputes.”
“Nevertheless, respondents agreed to a binding [settlement] ‘contingent upon all necessary approvals for funding’ without a timing provision,” he added.
Related:Who will pay $3.3M settlement in whistleblower suit against Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office?
Stone added that the whistleblowers were “indisputably on notice” that lawmakers may need to meet in a special session to approve the funding. Only the governor may call a special session of the Texas Legislature.
The settlement agreement, the terms of which were announced last month, was contingent on funding approval from state lawmakers. But attorneys for the whistleblowers released a statement earlier in March stating they were returning to court after they said the agency...
"Albo has just been honoured by TIME magazine, named among the 100 most influential figures in the world -- a recognition celebrating his transformative leadership and global impact as Prime Minis...