The historic impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton resumed Monday with testimony from Mark Penley, who previously served as deputy attorney general for criminal justice.
Mr. Penley is the fifth witness for the House impeachment managers who have accused Mr. Paxton of using his office to help Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who was under investigation by the FBI for actions relating to his business, World Class Holdings.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opened Monday, saying that each side had about 14 1/2 hours left and that deliberations could begin as soon as Thursday. Mr. Patrick is presiding over the trial in the Senate chambers at the Capitol in Austin, Texas.
“We will not take a day off until a final resolution,” Mr. Patrick declared.
Thirty Senate jurors will vote on 16 of the 20 articles of impeachment to determine whether or not the suspended attorney general will return to his duties or be removed from office. Four of the articles were held in abeyance.
In May, the GOP-led Texas House impeached Mr. Paxton in a vote of 121–23 on accusations of abuse of power, bribery, and other wrongdoings.
Mr. Paxton pleaded not guilty to all of the articles of impeachment. In November 2022, more than 4.2 million Texans reelected the conservative attorney general to a third term.
Witness Testifies Paxton Did Not Trust Law Enforcement Agencies
Mr. Penley testified that, in an August 2020 meeting with Mr. Paul and his lawyer, Michael Wynne, he had informed the real estate investor that he would be closing the investigation. He said he had found no evidence of Mr. Paul’s claims of wrongdoing against him regarding the raid of his home in 2019.
Mr. Paxton was present for part of the meeting, according to Mr. Penley.
Mr. Penley told the jury that Mr. Paul and Mr. Wynne were “very unhappy” over the decision, and they “pushed back.”
“Mr. Paul acted like we didn’t understand who the real boss was,” Mr. Penley said. “It wasn’t the attorney general. It was him.”
By Jana J. Pruet
