Texas AG Paxton Says He Won't Resign Amid Probe

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Monday he would not resign despite a whistleblower complaint from seven of his aides accusing him of abuse of power and taking briberies.

The accusations against Paxton were first reported by the Austin American-Statesman over the weekend. On Monday, the newspaper learned new details about the case, reporting it centers on Paxton's hiring of outside counsel in an investigation stemming from accusations of unlawful conduct by federal investigators in an April 2019 raid of the offices of Austin businessman Nate Paul.

“The Texas attorney general’s office was referred a case from Travis county regarding allegations of crimes relating to the FBI, other government agencies and individuals," Paxton said in a prepared statement on Monday. "My obligation as attorney general is to conduct an investigation upon such referral. Because employees from my office impeded the investigation and because I knew Nate Paul I ultimately decided to hire an outside independent prosecutor to make his own independent determination."

Related story: Texas AG Ken Paxton Accused Of Abuse Of Power, Bribery: Report

In concluding his statement, Paxton, a Republican, vowed not to step down: "Despite the effort by rogue employees and their false allegations I will continue to seek justice in Texas and will not be resigning.”

Democrats were quick to pounce on Paxton's vow not to resign. Texas Democratic Party Executive Director Manny Garcia issued the following statement:

“Ken Paxton is another leak in the Republican Party’s already sinking ship. Rooting out corruption is on the ballot and every Texan will know about indicted Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Republicans’ corrupt abuses of power and the dire consequences for all of us. One can only wonder what scandal the Texas Republican Party and its members will have next.”