AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened members of the Texas House with political retribution if they supported his impeachment, a lawmaker said during a hearing Saturday.
While making the case against Paxton, Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, revealed that Paxton had contacted members of the House in the days leading up to the impeachment hearing. Geren is one of five members of the House General Investigative Committee who have alleged that Paxton abused his position and broke the law.
“I would like to point out that several members of this House, while on the floor of this House doing the business of the state, received telephone calls from General Paxton personally, threatening them with political consequences in our upcoming election Geren said.
Related: Impeachment recommended for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Political points
The House accepted 20 articles of impeachment that a House investigative committee brought against the three-term attorney general.
Only two officials have been impeached and removed in Texas history, and the most recent was nearly 50 years ago.
Geren’s remarks revealed that Paxton had been working inside the Capitol to bolster support.
Paxton’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the alleged calls. He has denied committing the crime and called the hearing for political reasons.
Paxton has also used cable TV and social media. As Geren made his remarks, Paxton tweeted messages of support from conservative figures. He also went on cable TV Friday night and asked supporters to pack the House gallery.
After the House voted to impeach Paxton, Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, asked the committee investigating Paxton to add allegations of intimidation of House members and jury tampering by senators to the articles of impeachment In a memo Morales filed in the House Journal, he called the revelations “disturbing” and also said a charge should be added to the articles related to money spent on hiring outside legal counsel .
Writer Lauren McGaughy contributed to this report.
