This is hilarious. Marge the Barge bangs the gavel and gets the respect she deserves.
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Texas AG, Ken Paxton, is now facing 20 Articles of Impeachment, as the GOP led Ethics Cmte voted unanimously to forward those Articles to the full House.
Paxton has a long and checkered history of corruption. In 2015, Paxton was indicted on felony securities fraud charges. Those charges are still pending a trial.
Here are the Articles of Impeachment:
Mr. Paxton has been a busy boy!Article 1, disregard of official duty
Paxton violated the duties of his office by failing to protect a charitable organization by directing employees to intervene in a lawsuit between the nonprofit Mitte Foundation and Austin real estate investor Nate Paul, a Paxton friend and political donor. “Paxton harmed the Mitte Foundation in an effort to benefit Paul,” the resolution said.
Article 2, disregard of official duty
Paxton misused his official power to issue written legal opinions to help Paul avoid foreclosure sales of properties owned by Paul and his businesses. Paxton concealed his actions by soliciting state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, to seek the attorney general’s opinion as a “straw requestor,” the resolution said, adding that Paxton also directed employees to reverse their legal conclusions in ways that helped Paul.
Article 3, disregard of official duty
Paxton misused his official power to administer the state’s public information laws by directing employees to act contrary to the law on an open records request for Department of Public Safety documents and in another unspecified case.
Article 4, disregard of official duty
Paxton misused his power to administer public information laws to obtain previously undisclosed information held by his office “for the purpose of providing the information to the benefit of Nate Paul,” the resolution said.
Article 5, disregard of official duty
Paxton misused his official powers by violating the laws regarding how outside attorneys should be appointed. Paxton hired Brandon Cammack, a lawyer of five years, to investigate a “baseless complaint” made by Paul, who had accused federal and state investigators of improperly searching his home and businesses. Cammack responded by issuing 30 grand jury subpoenas in an effort to help Paul, the resolution said.
Article 6, disregard of official duty
Paxton violated his duties of office by firing or retaliating against employees in violation of the Texas Whistleblowers Act, which protects public employees who make good-faith reports of potentially illegal action to law enforcement.
“Paxton terminated the employees without good cause or due process and in retaliation for reporting his illegal acts and improper conduct,” the resolution said. “Furthermore, Paxton engaged in a public and private campaign to impugn the employees’ professional reputations or prejudice their future employment.”
Article 7, misapplication of public resources
Paxton misused public resources by directing employees to conduct a “sham investigation” into the whistleblowers’ complaints, leading the attorney general’s office to publish “a lengthy written report containing false or misleading statements in Paxton’s defense.”
In August 2021, the attorney general’s office issued an unsigned, 374-page internal report clearing him of wrongdoing in the allegations made by the fired employees.
Article 8, disregard of official duty
Paxton misused his official powers by “concealing his wrongful acts in connection with the whistleblower complaints.” To settle the whistleblowers’ lawsuit, Paxton agreed to pay them $3.3 million from public funds. The agreement “conspicuously delayed the discovery of facts and testimony at trial, to Paxton’s advantage” and deprived voters of the opportunity to make an informed decision in the 2020 election for attorney general, the resolution said.
Article 9, constitutional bribery
Paxton engaged in bribery in violation of Article 16 of the Texas Constitution when he benefited from Paul’s decision to employ a woman “with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair.”
“Paul received favorable legal assistance from, or specialized access to, the office of the attorney general,” the resolution said.
Article 10, constitutional bribery
Paxton engaged in bribery in violation of Article 16 of the Texas Constitution when Paul provided extensive renovations to Paxton’s Austin home. In return, Paul received favorable legal help from Paxton’s agency. Article 11, obstruction of justice
Paxton abused the judicial process to thwart justice by causing “protracted” delays after a Collin County grand jury indicted him for securities fraud for soliciting investors in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that the McKinney tech company was paying him to round up investors. Those delays “deprived the electorate of its opportunity to make an informed decision when voting for attorney general,” the resolution said.
Article 12, obstruction of justice
Paxton abused the judicial process to thwart justice when Jeff Blackard, a donor to his campaigns, took legal action that “disrupted payment of the prosecutors” in the securities fraud case against him, causing a protracted delay in the case.
Article 13, false statements in official records
Before and after holding public office, Paxton made false statements to mislead the public and public officials by lying to the State Securities Board during its investigation of Paxton’s failure to register as an investment adviser as required by state law.
Article 14, false statements in official records
Before and during his time in office, Paxton made false statements on personal finance statements required by Texas law by failing to “fully and accurately disclose his financial interests” on disclosure forms.
Article 15, false statements in official records
Paxton made, or caused others to make, multiple false or misleading statements in his office’s response to the whistleblowers’ claims in an effort to mislead the public and public officials. In August 2021, the attorney general’s office issued an unsigned, 374-page internal report clearing him of wrongdoing in the allegations made by the fired employees.
Article 16, conspiracy and attempted conspiracy
While in office, Paxton acted with others to conspire, or attempt to conspire, to commit the crimes described in the other articles.
Article 17, misappropriation of public resources
Paxton misused his official powers by causing employees to perform services for his benefit and the benefit of others.
The committee’s investigators said Paxton had diverted employees to perform work that benefited Paul, costing the state at least $72,000 in taxpayer-funded labor. He also hired Cammack for $25,000.
Article 18, dereliction of duty
Paxton violated the Texas Constitution, his oaths of office, plus statutes and public policy against public officials acting against the public interest.
Article 19, unfitness for office
Paxton engaged in private and public misconduct, described in the articles, that “indicate his unfitness for office,” the resolution said.
Article 20, abuse of public trust
Paxton subverted the lawful operation of Texas government by using, misusing or failing to use his official powers and obstructed the fair and impartial administration of justice, bringing the attorney general’s office “into scandal and disrepute,” which harmed the public’s confidence in the state’s government.
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Yes he has. I'm amazed he has not been impeached before this. Well, maybe I'm not. I wonder what finally pushed them over the edge? Maybe they finally figured out he will be convicted of bribery and they didn't want a convicted felon as an AG?Originally posted by WWFS View PostIn The Bag
Golf clubs
"You're just expected to work and die ...
and maybe buy some useless s**t you don't need inbetween"Comment
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Originally posted by Fredk View Post
Paxton lost a whistleblower suit, and was ordered to pay $3.3 million. That judgement will have to be paid by Texas taxpayers, so the GOP decided to hold an "investigation".
If the Articles are not taken up this session (which ends on May 30th), it will be almost 2 years before the full House ever votes to impeach.Comment
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The Texas House is scheduled to vote on the Articles of Impeachment against Ken Paxton tomorrow.Comment
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The Texas House just voted YES on impeaching Texas AG Ken Paxton. (121-23)
It now goes the Texas Senate for a trial. Paxton will be suspended from office until the Senate trial is complete. Unless Gov. Abbott calls a special session, the trial will have to be completed by June 1st.Comment
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Even the Republicans have limits?Originally posted by WWFS View Post
In The Bag
Golf clubs
"You're just expected to work and die ...
and maybe buy some useless s**t you don't need inbetween"Comment
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The Republicans, the great defenders of individual freedoms, believe in their college and universtiy students being able to criticize members of the LGBT communities, but having drag shows offends their Christian sensitivities, so the latter will be banned. Is there any doubt that potential students from across America and others from abroad will want to race to South Dakota for their lower (oops, I meant "higher") education?
GOP Gov. Kristi Noem Demands Drag Show Ban While Touting 'Free Speech' (msn.com)
This isn't a dress rehearsal. Enjoy yourself. There's no do-over.Comment
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Apparently Trump was lobbying some of the Republicans to avoid impeaching Paxton, but apparently that ploy didn't work.Originally posted by WWFS View Post
You have to wonder whether those Republicans who did vote to impeach Paxton will be 'primaried' for their districts in 2024 by Trump-endorsed candidates.
You also have to wonder whether those Republicans care about Trump's endorsement or the lack of it any longer. Perhaps this is the first sign of Trump truly becoming irrelevant at the state level.Comment
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It would be interesting to know how the people that Trump lobbied actually voted.Originally posted by Benz View Post
Reports are that Paxton called various GOP House members, while the impeachment debate was going on, and threatened political retribution. It's also reported he threatened various Senators as well.
The Senate trial will be held sometime between June 20th, and August 28th.
One of the senators who will be part of the jury is Paxton's wife. There is no word as to whether she plans to recuse herself. (don't hold your breath)
Even if all 12 Dems vote to convict, they would still 9 of the 19 GOP senators also vote to convict.
Paxton has been a slime-ball since day 1. The fact that he has hung on for over 7 years says everything you need to know about today's GOP.
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Word is that she will consult with Clarence and Ginni Thomas for guidance in this matter.Originally posted by WWFS View PostComment
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Turning the tables:
Utah primary schools ban Bible for 'vulgarity and violence'
In The Bag
Golf clubs
"You're just expected to work and die ...
and maybe buy some useless s**t you don't need inbetween"Comment
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Texas sheriff recommends criminal charges against DeSantis...Comment
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On Friday, we may find out who guaranteed George Santos' $500,000 bail bond.
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Excellent.Originally posted by WWFS View PostIn the Hamilton Golf + CC Embroidered Ping Hoofer
Club Champion Callaway AI Smoke 11*, Aldila Ascent 40 A Flex
Srixon F45 4-wood, 17*, KuroKage 606 S
TXG Custom T. Made SIM Max 21* 7-wood, Accra FX 140 2.0 M2
TXG Custom Cobra Tech 5-hybrid, KBS TGI 75 R
TXG Custom PXG 0211 6-Pw, 1* up, Recoil ESX 460 R
PXG 0211 GW, 50*, UST Recoil Dart R
TXG Custom Cleveland CBX 54*, Tour Issue DG Spinner 115
Ping Glide 4.0, 58* TS/6, Nippon 115 S
Tour Velvet Midsize Grips, Custom TXG Signature Putter Grip
TXG Custom King Cobra Nova, 25 gram weights, KBS CT Tour ShaftComment
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