Paxton

Ken Paxton Challenges Federal Ruling Against Texas Ten Commandments Law in High-Stakes Appeal

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AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed an appeal against a recent federal court decision that halted the implementation of a law promoting the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The legal move comes after U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman determined that the law potentially violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The controversial law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, allows for the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms across the state. Advocates argue that the law reinforces moral values, while opponents have voiced concerns about … Read more

Texas Showdown: Paxton Seeks California Enforcement of Arrests for Runaway House Democrats

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AUSTIN, Texas — Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking to authorize California law enforcement to apprehend Texas House Democrats who have fled the state. The request comes as part of a lawsuit aimed at enforcing civil arrest warrants that have been issued by the Texas House against six Democratic lawmakers, a move that marks a significant escalation in a heated standoff between Texas Republicans and Democrats. This filing is the second time Paxton has pursued the enforcement of Texas civil arrest warrants beyond state lines within a week. Earlier, he lodged a similar lawsuit in … Read more

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Ordered to Pay $6.6 Million to Whistleblowers in Retaliation Case

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Austin, Texas – A district court in Travis County has ordered a $6.6 million payment to four former aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The ruling compensates them for wrongful termination after they accused Paxton of misconduct and reported him to the FBI. The whistleblowers, Blake Brickman, David Maxwell, Mark Penley, and Ryan Vassar, had alerted federal authorities on October 1, 2020, about potential abuses of office by Paxton. By mid-November of the same year, all four had been dismissed from their positions. Judge Catherine Mauzy concluded that the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrated the plaintiffs … Read more

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Ordered to Pay $6.6 Million to Whistleblowers for Unlawful Retaliation

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AUSTIN, Texas — A Travis County District Court judge has ordered the Texas Attorney General’s Office to pay $6.6 million to four former employees who sued after being terminated. They alleged retaliation following their whistleblower complaints against Attorney General Ken Paxton. In a decision issued on Friday, Judge Catherine Mauzy sided with the whistleblowers by confirming that Paxton’s office had violated the Texas Whistleblower Act. The lawsuit centered on accusations that Paxton had used his position to benefit a real estate developer, Nate Paul, in exchange for personal favors. According to the judgment, the plaintiffs … Read more