FBI Nabs Texas Businessman Tied To Paxton Scandals

The FBI on Thursday (Friday, June 9, 2023, in Manila) arrested a businessman at the center of the scandal that led to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment, a move that came as questions about the men’s dealings based on financial records the Republican's lawyers made public to try to clear him of bribery allegations, Jake Bleiberg and Paul J. Weber reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Paul's arrest followed federal investigation into the Austin real estate developer — a probe that Paxton involved his office in, setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to his impeachment last month.

Nate Paul, 36, was taken into custody by federal agents and booked into an Austin jail in the afternoon, according to Travis County Sheriff’s Office records. He was being held on a federal detainer for a felony.

Paul's arrest followed federal investigation into the Austin real estate developer — a probe that Paxton involved his office in, setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to his impeachment last month.

FBI agents examining Paul's real estate empire searched his Austin offices and palatial home in 2019.

The following year, eight of Paxton ’s top deputies reported the attorney general to the FBI on allegations of bribery and abuse by his office to help Paul, including by hiring an outside lawyer to examine the developer's claims of wrongdoing by federal agents.

The allegations prompted an FBI investigation, which remains ongoing, and is central to articles of impeachment overwhelmingly approved by the GOP-led state House of Representatives.

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