CHRONICLE OF A COVER-UP
Paxton’s chief of staff, Katherine Cary, spots a woman speaking “very personally” about Paxton at a restaurant in Austin.
She takes a photo and confronts Paxton, who lies and claims the woman is his real estate agent.
Paxton asks staff to lie to his wife about who he's with and where he is.
The Affair Begins
Ken Paxton uses an Uber account under the alias ‘Dave P.’ to conceal his identity while commuting to and from meetings with his mistress.
Cary learns the affair is still ongoing. When she brings it up, Paxton becomes “red in the face” and angrily defends his relationship, saying:
“You don’t understand — I still love her.” (the mistress)
The Creation of ‘Dave P.’
Paxton’s mistress, Laura Olson, is hired by Nate Paul, a major Paxton donor and real estate investor. She moves from San Antonio to Austin to be closer to Paxton.
That same year, Paxton intervened in state investigations and pushed his staff to protect Paul, who was under FBI investigation for financial crimes.
The Quid Pro Quo
House impeachment managers allege Paxton “went to impeachable and criminal lengths” to help Paul in exchange for Olson’s employment.
The affair becomes the centerpiece of a constitutional bribery charge: “Paxton benefited from Paul hiring the woman he was having an affair with.”
Olson is subpoenaed for Paxton’s Senate trial — but never takes the stand, with both sides agreeing she’s “unavailable to testify.”