This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans – and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says House committee is trying to impeach him again
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday evening said the Texas House ethics committee, which scheduled a meeting for next week, is planning to recommend impeaching him a second time, the Texas Tribune reports.
AUSTIN (The Texas Tribune) -- Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday evening said the Texas House ethics committee, which scheduled a meeting for next week, is planning to recommend impeaching him a second time.
“Next week's House General Investigating Committee is yet another desperate attempt by the Republican establishment to impeach me,” Paxton said in a statement. “Their bitter obsession with taking me down knows no bounds, and they will stop at nothing to remove me from office.”
Paxton did not provide evidence for his claim. A Paxton spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
House General Investigating Committee Chair Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The committee often keeps the subjects of its meetings confidential.
Last spring, the committee launched an investigation into Paxton and ultimately recommended his impeachment for corruption. The House obliged, indicting the attorney general on 20 articles, including bribery and abuse of office. The Senate acquitted Paxton of 16 articles and dismissed the remaining four.
The investigating committee, which is composed of three Republicans and two Democrats, also investigated Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, for sexual misconduct last year. That probe led to Slaton’s unanimous expulsion.
Jasper Scherer and Renzo Downey contributed to this report.