The office of the Texas Attorney General has been ordered to pay $6.7 million to four whistleblowers following a ruling by a judge who determined that these individuals faced retaliation after reporting corruption charges involving Attorney General Ken Paxton to federal authorities.
The sum exceeds double what the agency would have paid. as part of a suggested agreement Paxton made with his ex-senior assistants in 2023 State legislators refused to provide funding for the payment; however, Paxton’s request prompted an unprecedented impeachment trial, which resulted in his acquittal.
"The Texas Legislature now has an obligation to take the right course of action and allocate funds to cover this ruling, ensuring that these dedicated public employees receive compensation for the wages and losses they endured due to Paxton’s unlawful termination of their jobs," stated attorneys Tom Nesbitt and TJ Turner, representing two out of the four individuals involved.
Paxton declared in a press release distributed to various media organizations that he intends to file an appeal, describing the ruling as a "preposterous decision devoid of factual and legal basis."
Judge Catherine Mauzy delivered the judgment late Friday after a two-day trial. In her decision, she pointed out that "the OAG, through its appointed legal representatives, chose not to contest the plaintiff's lawsuit regarding any matter, including any factual disputes in this case."
The ex-employees — Blake Brickman, David Maxwell, Mark Penley, and Ryan Vassar — filed a lawsuit against the agency following claims that Paxton’s office tried to intimidate and harass them, ultimately putting them on leave and ending their jobs. They maintained that they had reported these issues with genuine intentions.
Mauzy ruled that every plaintiff should be compensated for lost wages as well as for emotional distress and mental suffering. Each individual is expected to receive approximately $1.6 million on average.
The accusations revolved around Paxton's connection with Austin-based real estate investor Nate Paul and whether Paxton gained advantages by assisting Paul during a period when he was under FBI scrutiny.
The U.S. Department of Justice conducted an investigation into these allegations lasting approximately four years. However, the Associated Press reported this week, referencing unnamed sources from Washington D.C., it was reported that the department decided against bringing charges against Paxton during the last months of the Biden administration.
The article initially appeared on the Austin American-Statesman. Texas Attorney General's office directed to pay $6.7 million to Paxton whistleblowers.