Leaked 2014 Deposition Reveals Paxton Blamed Wife in Fraud Defense

Key points

• The New York Times obtained a never-before-seen 2014 deposition of Ken Paxton, who was under federal investigation for fraud at the time.
• In the testimony, Paxton claimed he did not remember certain financial transactions and blamed his then-wife, Angela Paxton, for his investing decisions.
• Paxton stated that a donor gave him stocks to 'please God,' according to The New York Times.
• Democratic candidate James Talarico is suing in Collin County to unseal these records, while Paxton’s attorneys argue there is no legal basis for release.
• The case was previously dismissed after Paxton paid $300,000 in restitution and completed community service, but the new leak has reignited scrutiny.

Background

This development occurs in a tight Texas Senate race where Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico. Previous coverage noted that Angela Paxton released ads supporting the GOP ticket without mentioning her estranged husband. Additionally, Trump-backed MAGA Inc. recently injected $10 million into Paxton’s campaign, signaling high stakes despite polling deficits.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times emphasizes the strategic nature of Paxton’s defense, noting he used the deposition to shift blame to his wife and invoke religious motives for receiving stocks. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth focuses on the current legal battle, highlighting the clash between Talarico’s push for transparency and Paxton’s resistance to unsealing the records. The Daily Beast frames the incident as a character issue, describing Paxton as 'throwing his estranged wife under the bus' to protect his candidacy. Yahoo News summarizes the financial evasion tactics, noting Paxton dodged questions about his finances.

Why it matters

The leak undermines Paxton’s credibility in a competitive race where he is trailing in polls. It provides concrete evidence of his defensive tactics regarding past financial controversies, potentially influencing voter perception in a state that has not lost a statewide election since 1994. The legal fight over the records could set a precedent for campaign transparency in the 2026 midterms.

What to watch

A Collin County court will decide whether to unseal the 2014 deposition records. The outcome will determine if voters see the full testimony before the November 3 election. Campaigns for both Paxton and Talarico are expected to intensify their efforts to sway undecided voters in the final weeks of the race.