The FBI has reportedly served at least one subpoena this week on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office in its investigation into a whistleblower report that the Republican abused his office to aid a campaign donor.
Three sources confirmed that at least one subpoena for records had been issued, but they did not know whether more had been filed, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Paxton has denied any wrongdoing.
“At all times, as in every matter, I ask my staff only to search for the truth, wherever it leads,” Paxton said in a Thursday evening statement. “That’s my responsibility as Attorney General of Texas.”
The report about a subpoena comes just days after Paxton received renewed national attention for filing a lawsuit to the Supreme Court, joined by 17 other states, attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which President-elect Joe Biden won by more than 7 million votes. President Trump refuses to concede to Biden, claiming the contest was “rigged.”
Federal agents have reportedly been investigating Paxton since at least mid-November regarding a complaint from members of Paxton’s staff earlier this year alleging that the attorney general improperly used the power of his office to shield real estate investor Nate Paul, a campaign donor and friend, from legal scrutiny. The FBI has not confirmed the investigation.
Paul’s home and office were raided in 2019 by the FBI, after which he complained that he “was treated unfairly and illegally by state and federal law enforcement,” according to the Houston-Chronicle. After the raid, Paxton announced that he was initiating his own investigation into the matter, which prompted the whistleblower complaint. They claimed Paxton was using the criminal process to help his donor, who contributed $25,000 to Paxton’s campaign.
Paxton has since called off the investigation.
Since the whistleblower complaint was filed, three of the whistleblowers who accused Paxton of wrongdoing have been fired, and the others have either been put on leave or resigned. Four of the accusers filed a second whistleblower complaint against Paxton alleging wrongful firing and retaliation.
Issuing a subpoena on a state attorney general is a “highly unusual move,” according to the Austin American-Statesmen, that likely would have required approval from the upper echelons of the Justice Department.
The initial whistleblower complaint is also being investigated by prosecutors who were already looking into Paxton about potential securities fraud charges. The previous charges accused Paxton of convincing investors to buy tech stocks without disclosing that he would be compensated for the sales.
In a previous statement, Paxton said he is prepared to defend himself against all of the allegations.
“Unfortunately, I know a little something about being falsely accused and being forced to counter allegations that are the result of overreach by prosecutors and law enforcement,” Paxton said. “I make no apologies for being a fierce investigator and defender of individual rights in the face of potentially unreasonable and authoritarian actions.”
