3 key takeaways from nearly 4,000 pages of evidence against Ken Paxton

The Texas Senate late Thursday published nearly 4,000 pages of documents submitted by House Impeachment Managers prosecuting the case against embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The documents, included in three sets of exhibits, were submitted as further proof of Paxton’s alleged abuse of office and come three weeks ahead of the Texas Senate trial that will ultimately determine Paxton’s fate.

The three-term attorney general was impeached by the Texas House in May. Most of the articles of impeachment are related to Paxton’s relationship with Nate Paul, an Austin-based real estate investor who is a close friend of Paxton, as well as a campaign donor.

Paul was charged in June with eight felony counts of making false statements to mortgage lending institutions and other financial institutions.

According to House Impeachment Managers and the evidence they’ve presented, Paxton tried to use his office to intervene in a federal probe into Paul’s misdeeds, and even tried to use that power to quash the investigation.

Thursday’s document dump reveals how Paxton decided to continue helping Paul despite warnings from top staff at the Office of the Attorney General concerning Paul’s behavior. The documents also show how Paxton’s relationship with Paul went beyond merely using his position as AG to protect him.