Texas AG Ken Paxton became 'less rational' over time about abuse of office, new lawsuit says [View all]

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Ken Paxton is being a major league asshole

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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/texas-ag-lawsuit-ken-paxton-whistleblowers-law-15725047.php

Despite his role as the state’s top law enforcement officer, Attorney General Ken Paxton “believes he is above the very law” he is supposed to uphold, several whistleblowers say in a new lawsuit seeking damages after he allegedly retaliated against them.

In the lawsuit filed this week in Austin, four top former Paxton aides recounted some of the extraordinary efforts the attorney general allegedly made on behalf of his friend and campaign donor Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor — everything from empowering Paul to go after business adversaries to helping him stave off foreclosure.

They say Paxton frequently met with Paul without his security detail present and abused his office to “advance the legal and personal interests” of the Austin businessman. Over time, Paxton “became less rational in his decision making and more unwilling” to listen to criticism of his actions, they said.,,,,

The lawsuit comes more than a month after seven whistleblowers staged a mutiny against the Republican attorney general, signing an Oct. 1 letter accusing him of bribery and abuse of office. In the lawsuit, four of Paxton’s accusers, including a high-ranking official who did not sign the original letter, say Paxton illegally retaliated against them after they reported their allegations against him to law enforcement.

Among other concerns, the top aides believed Paxton was trying to help a woman he’d recommended for a job at one of Paul’s companies, according to the lawsuit.