AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Texas Court of Appeals has ruled that Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton could be disciplined by the state bar association for his failed effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. I put it down.
In 2022, the State Bar of Texas’ disciplinary committee accused Paxton of making false claims of fraud in a lawsuit challenging President Joe Biden’s victory. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal ruled that Paxton could be sanctioned by the panel because the lawsuit seeks to punish Paxton in his personal capacity as a lawyer and not as a public official. He said there is.
Judge fires at Texas Paxton’s attempt to block guaranteed income program
“The focus of the commission’s allegations is squarely on Mr. Paxton’s alleged misconduct, not on the state,” Democratic Judge Erin Nowell wrote in a 2-1 opinion.
The Texas Court of Appeals has ruled that Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton can be disciplined by the state bar association for his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Justice Emily Miskell, the only Republican on the panel, issued a dissenting opinion.
A similar lawsuit was filed against one of Paxton’s top councilors. Earlier this week, a coalition of state Republican attorneys general asked the Texas Supreme Court to reject the bar’s efforts to impose discipline. All nine members of the state’s highest civil court are Republicans.
Paxton spokeswoman Paige Willey said, “As in that case, we intend to appeal this decision, and the Texas Supreme Court has determined that the state’s attorney’s false claims and partisan political retaliation are I am confident that I will not allow my qualifications to be affected.” statement.
A spokesperson for the Texas attorney and the committee prosecuting Paxton declined to comment on the ruling.
Paxton is one of the highest-profile lawyers under threat of sanctions for supporting efforts led by former President Donald Trump to cast doubt on Trump’s defeat.
Punishments against lawyers by the state bar’s disciplinary body range from written reprimands to suspension or disbarment. Disciplinary proceedings are similar to a trial and may involve both sides eliciting testimony and obtaining records through discovery.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Mr. Paxton does not need to be a member of the Bar to serve as attorney general.
The state’s attorney’s office has begun investigating complaints surrounding Paxton’s 2021 election lawsuit. The group has launched similar disciplinary proceedings against Paxton’s chief deputy. The case awaits a decision from the Texas Supreme Court.
