Key Takeaways:
- The records in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case have been unsealed, allowing the public to access the documents.
- The decision came after Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced that they had come to an agreement to unseal the documents.
- The records show that the Paxtons have entered mediation and their blind trust had doled out $20,000 to each of them to pay for their attorneys.
- The media organizations that fought for the records to be released agreed to redactions only of personal information like Social Security numbers and home addresses.
- The case is ongoing, and additional filings will be made as it continues.
Introduction to the Case
The records in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case have been unsealed, marking a significant development in the high-profile case. Judge Robert Brotherton, who is presiding over the case, signed an order allowing the records to be made public after Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced that they had come to an agreement to unseal the documents. This decision came as a surprise, as the couple had previously fought to keep the records secret. Tyler Bexley, an attorney for a group of media organizations fighting for the records to be released, celebrated the decision as a win for transparency.
The Fight for Transparency
The move to unseal the records was an abrupt about-face for the couple, who had previously argued that making the records public would be an invasion of their personal lives. However, the media organizations that fought for the records to be released argued that Paxton’s divorce records should be public because he is an elected official running for office who has faced repeated allegations of corruption. The attorney general’s finances, which are a subject of the divorce case, have been central to the misconduct allegations against him. While he has been charged with multiple crimes during his decade in statewide office, Paxton has never been convicted. The media organizations argued that the public has a right to know about the financial dealings of a public official, particularly one who is running for higher office.
The Records Revealed
The unsealed records show that the Paxtons have entered mediation and their blind trust had doled out $20,000 to each of them to pay for their attorneys. The documents also show that earlier this month, Angela Paxton asked her husband to produce records pertinent to the case. Additionally, multiple judges recused themselves from the case before it was given to Brotherton, a visiting judge based in Wichita Falls. However, the records did not shed more light on the couple’s financial situation, division of assets, or the alleged affair that led to the divorce. The media organizations agreed to redactions only of personal information like Social Security numbers and home addresses, ensuring that sensitive information would not be made public.
Reaction to the Decision
Laura Roach, one of Ken Paxton’s lawyers, said after the hearing that the attorney general had always wanted the record to be unsealed. However, this claim has been met with skepticism by some, including Michael Clauw, the communications director for the nonprofit Campaign for Accountability. Clauw stated that it is "ridiculous to believe that Ken Paxton ‘always wanted’ his divorce record to be unsealed" and that the decision to unseal the records was likely made only when it became apparent that Paxton would lose in court. Roach expects the case to be resolved amicably soon, but the outcome is still uncertain.
The Ongoing Case
The case is ongoing, and additional filings will be made as it continues. Paxton is currently challenging John Cornyn in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, and the outcome of the divorce case could potentially impact his campaign. The media organizations that fought for the records to be released will continue to monitor the case and push for transparency. As the case unfolds, it is likely that more information will come to light about the Paxtons’ financial situation and the circumstances surrounding their divorce. The public will be watching closely to see how the case is resolved and what implications it may have for Paxton’s political future.