Senator Springer calls to reopen Paxton's impeachment inquiry
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- State Senator Drew Springer is calling on the legislature to reopen Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment inquiry.
In a statement released Thursday evening, Springer, R-Muenster, said Paxton’s Jan. 18 court filing is “an admission of guilt” since the document lays out Paxton would not dispute the lawsuit claiming he wrongfully fired four whistleblowers.
The first 12 points of Paxton's filing, however, repeatedly state the attorney general did nothing wrong. His lawyers cite evidence used to acquit Paxton during his Senate impeachment trial in September.
Before the AG opts not to contest the lawsuit, his filing explicitly states: “There should be no doubt, however, that nothing stated herein should be construed as an admission that OAG, its employees, or the Attorney General violated any State or federal law — because none of them have violated any law as has been adequately and thoroughly shown elsewhere.”
Springer argues the filing is contradictory and should not stand.
“He can't accept the whistleblower's claims against him while touting that he's innocent against those very claims,” Springer’s statement reads. “Accordingly, AG Paxton completely changed his position in less than four months.”
The Senator claims Paxton admits to violating Article 6 of impeachment, which pertains to the Texas Whistleblower Act. He also expressed concerns about the state owing an even larger settlement amount to Paxton’s former employees who sued him.
“I am asking the Senate whether there is a legal mechanism to reopen the impeachment proceedings,” Springer wrote. “Failure to at least consider this possibility runs the risk of AG Paxton making a mockery of the Texas Senate.”
Paxton responded to Springer’s assertion in a statement to The Texas Tribune. He wrote, “Springer has to leave the senate because he was such a bad senator, wasn’t going to get re-elected, and needed a job.” He later added, “Why should anyone listen to his sour grapes.”
Springer announced last year that he would not run for reelection.
As of now, a Travis County judge ordered Paxton to answer questions under oath on Feb. 1. Paxton is still fighting the order, filing an appeal Thursday night requesting the Third Court of Appeals stop the depositions for him and others in his office.
Read Springer's full statement below: