Texas Supreme Court denies Ken Paxton’s request to block testimony in whistleblower lawsuit
In a significant legal development, the Texas Supreme Court has rejected Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to halt his deposition in a lawsuit brought by former high-ranking deputies. These deputies allege that Paxton unjustly terminated them after they reported him to federal authorities. This decision opens the door for Paxton to be compelled to answer questions regarding allegations of bribery and abuse of power, particularly in connection with Austin real estate developer Nate Paul.
The Office of Attorney General (OAG) had urgently petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to quash the whistleblowers’ request for oral depositions, mandated by a lower Travis County court in December. Paxton’s request was two-fold – to block his deposition and dismiss the entire lawsuit. However, the high court’s decision not only denied Paxton’s bid to halt the deposition but also refused to dismiss the lawsuit altogether. Justices John Devine and Jimmy Blacklock dissented, suggesting a reconsideration of the necessity and scope of depositions after lower-ranking officials have been deposed.
This marks a pivotal moment in the legal saga, as Paxton is now compelled to answer questions about the allegations against him. Notably, this will be the first time Paxton is forced to provide sworn testimony regarding the accusations made by his former top deputies.
Nate Paul, the Austin real estate developer central to the controversy, has also been served a subpoena and deposition notice, indicating a widening scope to the investigation.
Attorneys representing the whistleblowers expressed satisfaction with the Texas Supreme Court’s decision, stating, “We look forward to the opportunity to finally place the attorney general and the other witnesses under oath and question them about the facts in our lawsuit.” This development could shed light on the details surrounding the alleged misconduct and abuse of power within Paxton’s office.
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Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer’s December order mandated depositions of Paxton and three of his current top aides, scheduled to take place by Feb. 9 or earlier. The urgency of this timeline underscores the gravity of the accusations and the need for a thorough investigation.
The lawsuit originated in 2020 when former high-ranking officials within Paxton’s office were terminated after reporting him to the FBI. The whistleblowers subsequently sued for wrongful termination. In February 2023, a settlement was reached, with the state agreeing to pay $3.3 million to the whistleblowers to end the case. However, this recent legal battle stems from a Travis County court’s decision to order depositions, challenging the previous settlement.
Paxton’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit and block depositions was met with resistance from the Texas Supreme Court, indicating a commitment to the pursuit of justice in this matter. The dissenting voices within the court underscore the complexity of the case and the need for a careful examination of the evidence.
The legal developments surrounding Paxton’s deposition and the widening investigation into the allegations highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Attorney General. As the legal proceedings unfold, Texas residents and the broader public await further revelations that may have significant implications for Paxton’s tenure and the integrity of the state’s legal system.
