With allegations of bribery and other crimes swirling around Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary is demanding answers.
The chairman, State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Plano), wrote a letter dated October 9 stating that recent allegations of bribery and abuse of office against Attorney General Ken Paxton are “serious” and that he supports a “full and complete investigation by appropriate law enforcement agencies” into his fellow Collin County Republican.
Leach’s committee has jurisdiction and oversight of the Office of the Attorney General. The lawmaker was careful not to take sides in the warring allegations between Paxton and top officials within the OAG.
“Certainly you, like all Texans, are entitled to a presumption of innocence until an investigation is completed and a judicial determination is rendered. That said, at this time Texans have good reason to be concerned that the important work of the agency may not be possible under your continued leadership,” wrote Leach.
Though he fell short of calling for Paxton’s resignation right now, Leach said if there were any truth to the allegations, he believed Paxton must leave office.
“If there is any truth whatsoever to the factual and legal claims of your own senior staff, I believe you must voluntarily resign your position and urge you to do so. Bottom line: The operations of this vital agency must continue without interruption and the trust of the people of Texas in their Chief Law Enforcement Officer must be restored,” he wrote.
Additionally, Leach requested a report from Paxton’s office on how operations would continue, without interference or interruption from the ongoing investigation.
Paxton has so far denied any wrongdoing and instead accused the aides who brought the complaints of obstructing an investigation into government employees, including those in the AG’s office.
As of publication, Paxton’s office has not commented on Leach’s letter.
