Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has agreed to a pre-trial intervention program that will see state felony charges against him dropped. The agreement includes Paxton completing 100 hours of community service in Collin County, 15 hours of legal ethics education, and paying restitution to the victims. The special prosecutor stated that the restitution totals just under $300,000. This agreement does not involve an admission of guilt. Special prosecutors will monitor Paxton’s progress every 60 days and may re-file the charges if he does not comply with the terms.
One of the special prosecutors in the case, Kent Schaffer, stated that this type of pre-trial intervention program is common in large counties like Harris and Collin. Schaffer mentioned that even if Paxton had been convicted, a jury likely would not have sentenced him to prison. The charges against Paxton were initially filed in 2015 after he was elected attorney general, but they involve allegations from before his election to statewide office. Paxton is charged with a third-degree felony for allegedly failing to disclose that he was a securities advisor, as well as two first-degree felonies for securities fraud. One of the securities fraud charges was dropped due to a victim’s death.
Schaffer, who left the case last month, and the current special prosecutor have not been paid for their work due to an ongoing dispute with Collin County, which is currently tied up in the appeals court. There have been other delays in the case, including Paxton’s decision to fight the transfer of the case from Collin County to Harris County. The current special prosecutor, Brian Wice, has not commented on the potential deal. Paxton has continuously denied any wrongdoing, stating that the charges against him are false. He was impeached by the Texas House last fall but acquitted by the Texas Senate after a trial. Paxton remains under federal investigation and faces a whistleblower lawsuit filed by his former top lieutenants.
The agreement reached between Paxton and the special prosecutor involves completing an 18-month intervention program that includes community service, legal ethics education, and restitution to victims. The charges against Paxton will be dismissed if he successfully completes the program. The case against Paxton was first filed in 2015 and includes allegations from before his election to statewide office. Special prosecutor Kent Schaffer explained that pre-trial diversion programs are common in large counties like Harris and Collin and are often offered to first-time offenders. Paxton faces charges of failing to disclose his role as a securities advisor and securities fraud.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, including delays and the dispute over payment to the special prosecutors, Paxton has maintained his innocence in the case. He has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the charges brought against him and has faced impeachment by the Texas House. Paxton was acquitted by the Texas Senate after a trial but remains under federal investigation. Additionally, Paxton is facing a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former top lieutenants who were dismissed after reporting potential bribery allegations to the FBI. The agreement in the securities fraud case allows Paxton to avoid prosecution if he successfully completes the intervention program.
