What Nate Paul's arrest means for Ken Paxton
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Attorney General Ken Paxton didn't appear in a federal courtroom in Austin on Friday, but his fate may be tied to the man who did.
Driving the news: The impeached attorney general is not set to appear before a jury of Texas senators until later this summer, but the Austin real estate developer who is central to claims of Paxton's abuse of office has been indicted by the feds.
- Nate Paul, once famous for his meteoric rise as a buyer and seller of Austin property, appeared in an initial arraignment Friday. He was ordered to surrender his passport and released on bond, per the Texas Tribune.
Why it matters: Paxton is not named in the indictment documents — they involve accusations of making false statements to secure loans in 2017 and 2018 — but Paul could provide insight to federal investigators about Paxton's activities.
- Paxton is the subject of a federal corruption investigation.
Catch up fast: In 2020, several of Paxton's top aides alleged he illegally used his office to benefit Paul, who donated $25,000 to Paxton's 2018 campaign, per the Associated Press.
- Within months, those aides were either fired or resigned.
Details: Investigators with a Texas House Committee testified last month about alleged favors Paxton did for Paul, including pressuring his staff to get involved in a records fight that would benefit Paul in a lawsuit involving an Austin nonprofit.
- Investigators allege that in exchange for these favors, Paul helped with a renovation of Paxton's Austin home and employed a woman with whom Paxton was allegedly in a relationship.
- The Texas House then impeached Paxton, by a vote of 121-23, and the state's top lawyer is not being paid as he remains suspended pending the outcome of the Texas Senate trial.
The other side: "The charges against Paul evidently have nothing to do with Attorney General Ken Paxton. Nothing whatsoever," Paxton’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, said in a statement, per the Tribune.
- Paul's attorney, Gerry Morris, said Friday that the charges have nothing to do with Paxton, per the Tribune.
Between the lines: If a defendant wishes to cooperate in return for a potentially lighter sentence, "he'd have to disclose all criminal activities and answer all questions," Ken Magidson, a former U.S. Attorney in Texas' Southern District, tells Axios.
- A prosecutor might ask him, "Does he know of criminal activities the attorney general may have been involved with?" Magidson, who is now retired, said.
The bottom line: Paxton's impeachment and possible removal from office by the Texas Legislature is one thing — but the prospect of a federal indictment is another matter altogether.