AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is trying one last time to have his criminal indictment on securities fraud charges dismissed before trial.
The Republican has asked the state’s highest criminal court to throw out felony charges that accuse Texas’ top prosecutor of deceiving wealthy investors in a tech startup. Two lower courts previously rebuffed Paxton’s request.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the same panel that cleared former Gov. Rick Perry of criminal charges earlier this year. Perry had been accused of abusing his power as governor, while Paxton’s alleged crimes happened outside elected office.
Prosecutors say Paxton broke the law in 2011 when he recruited investors toward a startup called Servergy without disclosing he was being paid by the company.
Paxton has pleaded not guilty.