A district court judge has awarded over $6 million collectively to four whistleblowers in their lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, after they were terminated shortly following their report to the FBI.
Judge Catherine Mauzy of Travis County stated that the plaintiffs successfully demonstrated liability, damages, and attorney’s fees, proving their case against the attorney general’s office.
The court ruled that firing the employees constituted a violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act as it retaliated against them for reporting legal violations by Paxton and his office. Consequently, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.
The ruling came as the court recognized that the aides were dismissed after highlighting allegations that Paxton misused his office to receive bribes from a real estate developer in Austin, who employed a woman with whom Paxton allegedly had an extramarital relationship. Paxton has countered these claims, denying any acceptance of bribes or misuse of office to benefit the developer.
The judgment asserted that the employees had acted “in good faith” when reporting to law enforcement, with Paxton’s office yet to contest any claim or damages in the suit.
Attorney Tom Nesbitt, representing Blake Brickman, and attorney TJ Turner, representing David Maxwell, expressed their concern, saying, “It should shock all Texans that their chief law enforcement officer, Ken Paxton, admitted to violating the law, but that is exactly what happened in this case.”
In response, Paxton dismissed the ruling as “ridiculous” and claimed it was not grounded in facts or law, indicating his intent to appeal the decision.
Previously, a federal investigation was launched against Paxton in 2020 when eight employees reported bribery allegations to the FBI. Paxton proposed a settlement of $3.3 million, intending for it to be covered by the Legislature. However, the House declined to approve the settlement, initiating its own investigation which resulted in Paxton’s impeachment in 2023. He was later acquitted in the Senate.
Additionally, the Texas Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision that compelled Paxton to testify in the lawsuit in November.
Towards the end of President Biden’s administration, the U.S. Justice Department decided not to proceed with its investigation into Paxton, as reported by individuals familiar with the situation.