This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/02/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-indicted-felony-fraud

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Republicans quiet as Texas attorney general indicted on felony fraud charges Republicans quiet as Texas attorney general indicted on felony fraud charges
(about 17 hours later)
The Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, prepared on Sunday to become the latest powerful state official booked on felony charges. But unlike when Governor Rick Perry smiled for his mugshot last year, Republicans are not rushing to Paxton’s defense.The Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, prepared on Sunday to become the latest powerful state official booked on felony charges. But unlike when Governor Rick Perry smiled for his mugshot last year, Republicans are not rushing to Paxton’s defense.
A day after news broke that a grand jury had indicted Paxton on felony securities fraud charges, Governor Greg Abbott, Perry’s successor who was Texas attorney general for 12 years, remained silent. So did GOP presidential candidate and US senator Ted Cruz, who in 2014 praised Paxton, a like-minded Tea Party favourite.A day after news broke that a grand jury had indicted Paxton on felony securities fraud charges, Governor Greg Abbott, Perry’s successor who was Texas attorney general for 12 years, remained silent. So did GOP presidential candidate and US senator Ted Cruz, who in 2014 praised Paxton, a like-minded Tea Party favourite.
Other Texas GOP leaders also kept to themselves about Paxton, who is expected to turn himself in on Monday near his home in suburban Dallas. Attorney Joe Kendall said in a brief statement late on Saturday that he and Paxton would honour a judge’s instructions to not publicly comment.Other Texas GOP leaders also kept to themselves about Paxton, who is expected to turn himself in on Monday near his home in suburban Dallas. Attorney Joe Kendall said in a brief statement late on Saturday that he and Paxton would honour a judge’s instructions to not publicly comment.
It offered a sharp contrast to how conservatives rallied around Perry last year when a grand jury in liberal-leaning Austin handed up a two-count indictment against Texas’ longest-serving governor, over a 2013 veto. A judge earlier this month tossed out one of the indictments, leaving only an abuse of power charge. It offered a sharp contrast to how conservatives rallied around Perry last year when a grand jury in liberal-leaning Austin handed up a two-count indictment against Texas’s longest-serving governor, over a 2013 veto. A judge earlier this month tossed out one of the indictments, leaving only an abuse of power charge.
The cases against Paxton and Perry widely differ, including the fact that Paxton was investigated by the Texas Rangers.The cases against Paxton and Perry widely differ, including the fact that Paxton was investigated by the Texas Rangers.
“The Texas Rangers aren’t politically motivated in investigating the crimes they’re investigating,” said David Owens, a former Texas prosecutor who is now a criminal defense attorney. “If you’ve got the Texas Rangers bringing forth this case, it’s serious.”“The Texas Rangers aren’t politically motivated in investigating the crimes they’re investigating,” said David Owens, a former Texas prosecutor who is now a criminal defense attorney. “If you’ve got the Texas Rangers bringing forth this case, it’s serious.”
Barely seven months after becoming Texas’ top law enforcement officer, Paxton faces accusations that he mislead investors in a McKinney-based tech startup before taking office, special prosecutor Kent Schaffer told the New York Times. Barely seven months after becoming Texas’s top law enforcement officer, Paxton faces accusations that he mislead investors in a McKinney-based tech startup before taking office, special prosecutor Kent Schaffer told the New York Times.
Schaffer did not return messages seeking comment on Sunday. He and a fellow special prosecutor, Brian Wice, only hinted at the indictment over the weekend in a broader statement, saying they were committed to ensuring that anyone accused of a crime was guaranteed a presumption of innocence and a fair trial.Schaffer did not return messages seeking comment on Sunday. He and a fellow special prosecutor, Brian Wice, only hinted at the indictment over the weekend in a broader statement, saying they were committed to ensuring that anyone accused of a crime was guaranteed a presumption of innocence and a fair trial.
The most serious of the allegations is that Paxton encouraged investment in Servergy, which is now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Associated Press reported last month the connections between the startup and Paxton, who listed himself as a shareholder and whose name is among search terms that Servergy attorneys used to satisfy a federal subpoena.The most serious of the allegations is that Paxton encouraged investment in Servergy, which is now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Associated Press reported last month the connections between the startup and Paxton, who listed himself as a shareholder and whose name is among search terms that Servergy attorneys used to satisfy a federal subpoena.
In the middle of last year’s heated Republican primary, Paxton admitted to violating state securities law for not disclosing to regulators that he was receiving commissions for referring law clients to a financial planner. He paid a $1,000 fine. Aides said it was administrative oversight and that the criminal investigation was a political hit job.In the middle of last year’s heated Republican primary, Paxton admitted to violating state securities law for not disclosing to regulators that he was receiving commissions for referring law clients to a financial planner. He paid a $1,000 fine. Aides said it was administrative oversight and that the criminal investigation was a political hit job.
But fellow Republicans have not been so publicly dismissive, especially now that Schaffer has said an indictment will be unsealed on Monday in Collin County.But fellow Republicans have not been so publicly dismissive, especially now that Schaffer has said an indictment will be unsealed on Monday in Collin County.
Abbott spokesman John Wittman declined comment on Sunday, as did representatives for both Cruz and US senator John Cornyn, who is also a former Texas attorney general.Abbott spokesman John Wittman declined comment on Sunday, as did representatives for both Cruz and US senator John Cornyn, who is also a former Texas attorney general.
Although indictments against attorneys general are not common, Paxton has company both in Texas and around the US.Although indictments against attorneys general are not common, Paxton has company both in Texas and around the US.
In 1983, Texas Democrat Jim Mattox was indicted on charges of commercial bribery shortly after his election. He was later acquitted.In 1983, Texas Democrat Jim Mattox was indicted on charges of commercial bribery shortly after his election. He was later acquitted.
More recently, a Pennsylvania grand jury in January recommended that state attorney general Kathleen Kane face charges over allegations that she engaged in a cover-up and lied about her role in a grand jury leak to a newspaper.More recently, a Pennsylvania grand jury in January recommended that state attorney general Kathleen Kane face charges over allegations that she engaged in a cover-up and lied about her role in a grand jury leak to a newspaper.
Kane, who took office in 2013, has not been charged and has consistently denied that she broke any laws.Kane, who took office in 2013, has not been charged and has consistently denied that she broke any laws.