Texas Atty. Gen. Paxton indicted in securities fraud
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson talks about the indictment of Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton.
By Nigel Duara
Texas’ attorney general surrendered to authorities Monday in connection with felony charges that he misled investors in a scheme to funnel money to himself.
Ken Paxton, 52, turned himself in at the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, where he was booked in connection with three charges: two counts of fraud and one count of failing to register as an investment adviser.
Paxton pleaded not guilty and pledged to mount a vigorous defense, even as most high-ranking Texas Republicans kept their distance.
Other prominent Texas politicians have been indicted while in office – most recently, then-Gov. Rick Perry last year – but they could wave off such prosecution as politically motivated.
Not so for Paxton, a tea party Republican who was investigated by the state’s iconic Texas Rangers and indicted by a grand jury in one of the most conservative counties in Texas.
“He’s bleeding to death and don’t know it yet,” said Southern Methodist University political analyst Cal Jillson.
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