A donor bankrolls Paxton’s mistress. Paxton uses the power of his office to protect the donor.
When real-estate investor Nate Paul came under FBI investigation, he turned to his political ally Ken Paxton. Paul was a Paxton donor—and Paxton intervened repeatedly on Paul’s behalf:
• Pressured senior staff to interfere in Paul’s legal problems
• Ordered investigations into law-enforcement officials involved in Paul’s raid
• Forced the AG’s Office to take unusual actions benefiting Paul personally
Senior Republican aides were so alarmed they reported Paxton to the FBI.The motive came into focus when whistleblowers revealed Paul had provided a major personal benefit to Paxton:
Paul arranged a job for Paxton’s mistress, Laura Olson, making it easier for Paxton to maintain the affair.
In exchange, Paxton used the Attorney General’s Office to advance Paul’s interests, despite mounting legal and ethical risks. The structure was simple:
Paul helped Paxton privately → Paxton helped Paul publicly.
That is the definition of a bribe.
Paxton receives a personal benefit → Paxton abuses his office → the insider gets rewarded, and Texans get stuck with the bill.
PAID FOR BY TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN, INC