AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will not testify in his upcoming impeachment trial, which could result in the Republican being permanently removed from office, his defense team says.
In a lengthy statement released late Monday, Paxton’s lead attorney criticized the process that led to the GOP-controlled Texas House removing the state’s top law enforcement agencies in May.
The trial in the Texas Senate is scheduled to begin Sept. 5.
“‘They were given the opportunity to have Attorney General Paxton testify during their bogus investigation but declined to do so,’ attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. “We will not bow to their vicious, illegal and unprecedented militarization of state power in the Senate chamber.”
A spokesman for House officials leading the impeachment did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Tuesday.
Paxton, a Republican, is temporarily suspended from office pending the outcome of his trial on 20 articles of impeachment that include bribery and abuse of power charges. Elsewhere, he is being investigated by the FBI on charges that he used his power to help a donor. This donor was indicted in federal court in Austin last month for making false statements to banks.
Paxton is also still awaiting trial on securities fraud charges as of 2015. He pleaded not guilty and has never received a deposition in the eight-year history of the case, according to court officials. Accused.