The 5th District Court of Appeals said Paxton can be sanctioned by a committee with the State Bar of Texas because the lawsuit seeks to punish him in his capacity as an attorney and not as a public officialA Texas appeals court has ruled that Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton can face discipline from the state bar association over his failed effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
A disciplinary committee of the State Bar of Texas accused Paxton in 2022 of making false claims of fraud in a lawsuit that questioned President Joe Biden's victory. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeals said Paxton can be sanctioned by the committee because the lawsuit seeks to punish him in his capacity as an attorney and not as a public official.
“The focus of the Commission’s allegations is squarely on Paxton’s alleged misconduct — not that of the State,” Judge Erin Nowell, an elected Democrat, wrote in the 2-1 opinion.A similar lawsuit was also brought against one of Paxton's top deputies. Earlier this week, a coalition of state Republican attorneys general urged the Texas Supreme Court to reject efforts by the bar to impose discipline. All nine members of the state's highest civil court are Republicans.
“As in that case, we will appeal this ruling and we have full confidence the Supreme Court of Texas will not allow false claims by the State Bar and partisan political revenge to affect professional licensure of the state’s lawyers,” Paxton spokeswoman Paige Willey said in a statement.Paxton is among the highest-profile attorneys to face a threat of sanctions for aiding in efforts led by former President Donald Trump to throw into question Trump's defeat.
The state bar's disciplinary group's punishments against an attorney can range from a written admonition to a suspension or disbarment. The disciplinary process resembles a trial and could include both sides eliciting testimony and obtaining records through discovery.State bar officials began investigating complaints over Paxton’s election lawsuit in 2021. A similar disciplinary proceeding was launched by the group against Paxton's top deputy.
Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »
Source: sdut - 🏆 5. / 95 Read more »
Source: ksatnews - 🏆 442. / 53 Read more »
Source: cbsaustin - 🏆 595. / 51 Read more »
Texas AG Ken Paxton in court ahead of April 15 securities fraud trialThe hearing could present one of the last opportunities for Paxton and the special prosecutor to reach a deal that would negate the need for a trial.
Source: ExpressNews - 🏆 519. / 51 Read more »
Texas court says Ken Paxton disciplinary case can proceedThe State Bar accused Paxton in 2022 of falsely claiming he had substantial evidence that raised doubts on Joe Biden’s win in four battleground states.
Source: ExpressNews - 🏆 519. / 51 Read more »