Current:Home > InvestHow an extramarital affair factors into Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial -WealthStream
How an extramarital affair factors into Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:25:46
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — How much does an extramarital affair matter to whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton keeps his job? An answer may arrive soon.
The question hangs over the Republican’s impeachment trial that resumes Tuesday and is approaching the final stretch of testimony before a jury of state senators decides whether Paxton should be removed from office on charges of corruption and bribery. Most of the senators are Republicans and one is his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, although she will not have a vote in the verdict.
But she has attended the entire trial so far, including Monday, when she sat in the Senate chamber as one of her husband’s former employees gave an account of the affair in the most public detail to date: How the relationship took a toll on staffers, how she urged Paxton to consider the risks and how she asked him to tell his wife about the woman.
“Just because somebody has an affair doesn’t mean they’re a — quote — ‘criminal’ does it?” Tony Buzbee, Paxton’s attorney, asked when it was the defense’s turn to respond.
“I would not associate that directly,” said Katherine Cary, a former chief of staff in Paxton’s office, who is now one of six ex-employees to testify against their former boss since the trial began last week.
The exchange capped one of the most distinctive moments of witness testimony so far after five days of former Paxton aides giving various — but at times overlapping — accounts of how one of Texas’ most powerful figures allegedly abused his power to help a local real estate developer named Nate Paul, who was under FBI investigation at the time. Paul was indicted this summer on charges of making false statements to banks. He has pleaded not guilty.
Paul, who once gave Paxton a $25,000 campaign contribution, also employed the woman with whom Paxton had the affair.
A verdict in the trial could come as early as this week.
The affair is one of 20 articles of impeachment, alleging that Paul received favorable access as Paxton benefited from Paul employing the woman. Jeff Mateer, Paxton’s former second-in-command, testified last week that the relationship connected the dots as to why Texas’ top lawyer appeared so determined to help Paul look into claims that he had been wronged by FBI agents and a judge.
Lawmakers leading the impeachment have also previously alleged that Paxton, who was elected to a third term in November despite years of criminal charges and alleged scandal, had a political motivation to hide the affair.
“The affair is important because it goes to Ken Paxton’s political strength. He knows that with his folks he is family values,” Democratic state Rep. Ann Johnson said in May, moments before the House overwhelmingly voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton.
Cary, the former chief of staff, said on the witness stand Monday that she told Paxton the affair carried political and ethical risks. She alleged that Paxton at first lied about who the woman was and that the affair took a toll on staff who were forced to worked long and odd hours as the relationship unfolded.
She said Angela Paxton sometimes called the office with questions about her husband’s schedule and that the conversations made staff uncomfortable.
“I told General Paxton quite bluntly it wasn’t my business who he was sleeping with, but when things bleed over into the office and into the state work, it becomes my business,” she said.
When it came to Angela Paxton, Cary said, “My heart broke for her.”
Ken Paxton, who has pleaded not guilty, is not required to be present for testimony and was again not in the Senate on Monday.
Angela Paxton took notes at her desk as Cary testified about the affair that began in 2018, the year Angela was won her senate seat. She cruised to reelection last year and said on the eve of the impeachment trial that she would seek third term, making the announcement alongside Ken Paxton at a Labor Day picnic near their home in suburban Dallas.
Before becoming a senator, Angela Paxton would entertain crowds at her husband’s political events with a guitar and song, singing, “I’m a pistol-packin’ mama and my husband sues Obama.” She and all senators are under a gag order to not speak about the impeachment trial while the proceedings are ongoing.
A two-thirds majority — or 21 senators — is required for conviction. That means that if all 12 Democrats vote against Paxton, at least nine Republicans would have to join them.
“Imagine if we impeached everyone in Austin who had an affair,” Buzbee said. “We’d be impeaching people for the next 100 years.”
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at: https://apnews.com/hub/ken-paxton
veryGood! (9)
Related
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Taylor Swift says Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt's 'All Too Well' cover on 'SNL' was 'everything'
- Here's the maximum Social Security benefit you can collect if you're retiring at 70 this year
- Wife of ex-Harvard morgue manager pleads guilty to transporting stolen human remains
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Bureau of Prisons to close California women’s prison where inmates have been subjected to sex abuse
- Taylor Swift says Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt's 'All Too Well' cover on 'SNL' was 'everything'
- Major news organizations urge Biden, Trump to commit to presidential debates
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Europe's new Suzuki Swift hatchback is ludicrously efficient
Ranking
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- 2 officers, suspect killed in shootout in Syracuse, New York, suburb, authorities say
- Keanu Reeves, girlfriend Alexandra Grant walk 2024 MOCA Gala red carpet: See the photos
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, PTA Meeting
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa, gifts sneakers to Los Angeles Dodgers
- Ohio River near Pittsburgh is closed as crews search for missing barge, one of 26 that broke loose
- Hours late, Powerball awarded a $1.3 billion jackpot early Sunday. Here's what happened.
Recommendation
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Judge refuses to dismiss federal gun case against Hunter Biden
Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer's Love Story Will Truly Warm Your Blood
Are Americans feeling like they get enough sleep? Dream on, a new Gallup poll says
'Most Whopper
It withstood hurricanes, lightning strikes and pests: 'This tree is a survivor'
LIV Golf Masters: Results, scores leaderboard for LIV tour as DeChambeau finishes top 10
ERNEST on new album and overcoming a heart attack at 19 to follow his country music dreams