AUSTIN, Texas – Day five of indicted and suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial ends with more questions than answers. Paxton has faced sixteen articles of impeachment, mainly accusing him of misusing his office to help his friend and donor, Nate Paul. Over the last week, hours of testimony from credible witnesses have revealed a complex web of ethical misconduct, abuse of power, and a lack of transparency. Today’s testimony reflected the same tone that we’ve seen in key testimonies over the last week – the Attorney General’s Office has become the epicenter for ethical misconduct, abuse of power, and a lack of transparency under Ken Paxton’s tenure.

In summary: 

• Ken Paxton was, once again, absent from his own impeachment trial.

• Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced that the jury (Texas Senate) could begin deliberations as soon as Thursday, September 13th –  indicating the trial is nearing its conclusion.

• Katherine "Missy" Cary, Ken Paxton’s former chief of staff, testified about Paxton's alleged extramarital affair for the first time since the trial began. Cary discussed its impact on office morale and its potential ethical implications, including vulnerability to bribery and abuse of office. 

• Whistleblower Mark Penley highlighted Paxton's distrust of law enforcement agencies throughout his testimony. He cited a moment when Paxton confided to him that, because of his securities fraud indictment in 2015, he empathized and bonded with Nate Paul over their shared suspicion of law enforcement.

• Penley doubled down on Nate Paul’s influence of the Attorney General’s Office – describing Paul’s demeanor as acting like he was the “real boss.” 

• Margaret Moore, former Travis County District Attorney, also corroborated the repeated allegations of corruption and lack of transparency and corruption surrounding Paxton’s Attorney General’s Office.

• Paxton’s defense continues to blame whistleblowers for Paxton’s wrongdoings – citing numerous times that Paxton was betrayed by his former staff. The defense also persists with the narrative the trial is politically motivated – despite the sixteen counts of impeachment against the Attorney General. 

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement: 

“From extramarital affairs on the taxpayers dime, to allowing some guy, Nate Paul, act like the ‘real boss’ around the OAG, to openly sowing distrust in law enforcement officers to colleagues – Ken Paxton has turned the Attorney General’s office into a full-blown circus. There is no reason – under any circumstance that an elected official – especially Texas’ top law enforcement officer – should take any legal advice or influence from a shady donor. 

“As we enter the halfway mark of Paxton’s groundbreaking impeachment trial, it’s important to remember that Ken Paxton is not above the law – and these allegations are to be taken seriously by all that encounter the  evidence presented. As I’ve said before: this is not a proud moment for Texas history. Ken Paxton’s crimes have brought shame to the Office of the Attorney General – where justice should remain as the front and center focus.

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