Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is currently embroiled in a legal battle as he tries to avoid testifying in a lawsuit that led to his impeachment last year. Paxton, who is a Republican, is facing increasing pressure to testify, despite his previous reluctance to do so during his impeachment trial.
During his impeachment, Paxton decided not to testify publicly, which ultimately resulted in his acquittal in the conservative-dominated Texas Senate. However, he may no longer be able to evade testifying in the ongoing lawsuit, which revolves around the firing of four whistleblowers who accused his office of improper conduct.
A recent ruling from a Texas appellate court has dealt a significant blow to Paxton’s efforts to avoid testifying. The court has ordered him to provide testimony in the lawsuit. These allegations raised by the whistleblowers were at the core of Paxton’s impeachment trial, as they accused him of misusing his office to benefit political donors.
Interestingly, Paxton was not called to testify during his impeachment trial, as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a political ally, decided it was unnecessary. Despite his acquittal, Paxton has continued to remain silent in the ongoing lawsuit. He has argued that his testimony would hinder his efforts to address issues related to the Texas southern border and other legal settlements.
In an attempt to avoid testifying, Paxton’s office proposed settling the lawsuit. They claimed that the facts of the case had already been resolved during Paxton’s impeachment trial and subsequent electoral victory in November 2022. However, this offer was not accepted by the former employees suing Paxton, who accused him of avoiding the truth and violating the Whistleblower Act.
Last week, an Austin court rejected Paxton’s attempt to avoid testifying and ordered his deposition for February 1. Paxton’s office argued that the ruling showed bias and disregarded legal precedent. In a final effort, they have appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, asserting Paxton’s right to avoid defending himself in a biased trial court.
However, it is unlikely that Paxton will be successful in avoiding testifying. The Texas Supreme Court has previously rejected his attempts to halt the trial and avoid testifying. The former employees have long demanded his testimony and proper compensation for their alleged wrongful termination.
There is a strong demand for accountability from Paxton, with the former employees and their attorneys insisting that he be held responsible for his actions. They seek justice and Paxton’s honest testimony regarding the allegations of illegal and corrupt conduct.
