Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says revived federal fraud charges a weak 'do-over'
AUSTIN Federal fraud charges filed against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton should be tossed for a second time, the Republican's lawyers argued Friday.
One month ago, a federal judge dismissed securities fraud charges that the Securities and Exchange Commission had lodged against Paxton. But the SEC refiled the charges soon after, a move that Paxton's attorneys called a weak "do-over" of their first effort.
"As the Court said four weeks ago, the SEC's original complaint had no legal basis. Our motion to dismiss filed today explains why the SEC's new complaint fares no better," Paxton's attorney Matthew Martens said in a written statement. "The reason is simple: Mr. Paxton did not commit securities fraud."
Paxton is accused of convincing investors to buy stock in a North Texas technology firm without telling them he was being paid by the firm. He faces criminal charges in Texas based on the same allegations.
Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-politics/2016/11/04/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-says-revived-federal-fraud-charges-weak