AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A Travis County judge on Wednesday denied the Office of the Attorney General’s request to enter judgment in a civil lawsuit brought by former employees claiming wrongful termination, allowing the lawsuit to continue into a possible public trial.

Former top aides to Attorney General Paxton claim AG Paxton violated whistleblower protection laws by firing them after they brought allegations of corruption to the FBI. For years, Paxton has attempted to end the lawsuit without a trial and is currently contesting the plaintiffs’ efforts to depose him under oath.

Our clients like to follow the law, unlike Ken Paxton,” attorney for the whistleblowers TJ Turner said. “The court can’t enter judgment just on our petition — we have to go in there and prove damages, prove the elements and put on the evidence. The motion for an entry today was improper and premature.”

Earlier this month, Paxton’s office announced they will no longer contest the lawsuit — effectively folding their hands and accepting whatever judgment the court decides. The OAG explained halting their defense would save taxpayer money and allow the office to focus on state business.

Paxton’s attorneys argued Wednesday their concession should render any further litigation unnecessary.

“Anything else to find a judgment is just makework to run up attorneys fees,” attorney Bill Hefland argued. “There is simply no legitimate reason not to enter the judgment the office of the Attorney General is conceding.”

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