January 31, 2023      11:22 AM

Paxton enters into settlement talks with whistleblowers over retaliation suit

The latest from Dallas Morning News reporter Lauren McGaughy:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is in settlement negotiations with a group of whistleblowers who sued the state’s top lawyer for allegedly retaliating against them after they accused him of serious crimes. In a joint filing last week, Paxton’s lawyers and three of four whistleblowers asked the Texas Supreme Court to put the high-profile case on hold as they hash out details. According to the filing, they “are actively engaged in settlement discussions, with mediation tentatively planned for February 1, 2023.”

A fourth whistleblower, James “Blake” Brickman, opposed the motion and is not engaged in settlement negotiations or mediation, according to a separate court filing.

The lawsuit is more than two years old. It was filed by four of Paxton’s former top aides who were fired after going to law enforcement with allegations that their boss committed bribery and abuse of office to help a campaign donor.

Copyright January 31, 2023, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved