Today the Texas Coalition for Lawyer Accountability (TCLA) filed suit against the Texas State Securities Board to obtain documents linked to Republican attorney general candidate Ken Paxton’s admitted felony violation of state securities law.
“Ken Paxton’s actions define corruption. Paxton has not only disqualified himself to serve as Texas attorney general, but to even practice law,” said Matt Angle, Lone Star Project director. “Current AG Greg Abbott’s silence on the Paxton felony is deafening and reflects his tolerance for corruption and his own lack of character and ethics. Both Paxton and Abbott are hiding out and hoping the press will ignore admitted criminal behavior. TCLA is responsibly working to assure that doesn’t happen and properly demanding accountability for the legal profession,” he added.
Despite the Securities Board’s own ruling that Paxton broke the law, slapping him with a Disciplinary Order and fine, it has refused to make documents related to their investigation available to the public. On August 21, TCLA requested that the board provide records pertaining to its investigation of Paxton and the illegal solicitations he made in exchange for kickbacks from long-time friend and partner-in-crime Frederick Mowery.
Not only did Paxton admit on record to committing a felony, as an attorney who defrauded his clients, he now must contend with the possibility of disbarment. On August 5, TCLA filed a disciplinary complaint and narrative with the State Bar, seeking the revocation of Ken Paxton’s law license, citing “multiple acts of serious Professional Misconduct in violation of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.”
As the Lone Star Project recently reported, Paxton is hiding behind his staff, refusing to answer questions by the media or speak with the public. The Board’s records are therefore “important evidence” in the TCLA complaint with the State Bar, and are directly relevant to unveiling the secrets Paxton has fought so hard to hide.
