Texas AG Ken Paxton Settles Securities Fraud Investigation, Avoids Trial

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has reached a pretrial deal to avoid a jury trial in his securities fraud case, agreeing to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution, take legal ethics classes, and complete 100 hours of community service. If he fulfills the terms, the charges will be dismissed in 18 months. Despite the deal, Paxton's lawyer emphasized that there was no admission of guilt, citing the unpredictability and cost of jury trials. Paxton has faced corruption allegations for years, including impeachment by members of his own party in the Texas House of Representatives last year.