Dan Patrick’s New Counsel Steps Down After Conflicts Revealed
Brown said the impeachment proceedings are “far too important to the State of Texas for there to be any distractions involving allegations of favoritism or personal bias on my part.

Brandon Waltens | August 19, 2023

https://texasscorecard.com/state/dan-patricks-new-counsel-steps-down-after-conflicts-revealed/

Just one day after being appointed as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s counsel for the upcoming impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, Marc Brown has declined the offer following revelations of his long-standing relationships with those pushing the impeachment – including financial support.

Patrick announced his appointment of Brown late Friday afternoon, saying he was “confident [Brown] will further the Senate’s pursuit of a fair and impartial trial.”

Campaign finance records revealed, however, that Brown—who had previously held judicial offices as a Republican in Harris County—had received campaign contributions from House investigators and impeachment prosecutors.

Hours after those reports became public, Brown submitted his declination of Patrick’s appointment. He cited a 2021 donation he gave to former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman in her primary challenge to Paxton.

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During meetings with your staff regarding the above position, my political activities and relationships to the participants in this matter were discussed.

Until today I had no recollection of any relevant matters. I now recall in November 2021 my wife and I contributed $250 ot the Eva Guzman campaign. I did not recall that during our meetings with your staff. I have not actively campaigned for any candidate since becoming a District Court Judge in 2010, nor posted personal political views on social media.

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Brown added the impeachment proceedings are “far too important to the State of Texas for there to be any distractions involving allegations of favoritism or personal bias on my part.”

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State of Texas: Questions remain as Senate prepares for Paxton impeachment trial
https://www.kxan.com/state-of-texas/stat...aign=socialflow
by: Ryan Chandler, Monica Madden, Arezow Doost, John Thomas
Posted: Aug 26, 2023 / 06:00 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 26, 2023 / 04:35 PM CDT


AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The impeachment trial for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton starts in just over a week. Right now, at the Capitol, the Senate chamber is closed to the public as they transform the chamber to a courtroom.

The usual legislative layout is being reconfigured for trial including a witness stand and desks for the lawyers prosecuting and defending Paxton.

Amid resignation rumors, Paxton says he will not resign ahead of impeachment trial

Proceedings are scheduled to begin on September 5. This week, The Dallas Morning News obtained confidential lists of witnesses expected to be called to testify. Topping the list, Paxton himself.

Paxton’s lawyers have previously said that he will not testify. But according to the leaked list, House managers plan to call him to testify, as well as the woman he allegedly had an affair with. Also on the list of witnesses, Nate Paul, the real estate investor at the center of many of the impeachment allegations.

Earlier this month, former GOP appellate judge Marc Brown declined a prestigious appointment by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to assist in presiding over Paxton’s impeachment trial. He had a history of political donations that could harm the public’s trust, he said, after donating $250 to Eva Guzman — one of Paxton’s 2022 primary opponents who campaigned on assertions that the now-suspended Attorney General was unfit for office.

“The proceedings…are far too important to the State of Texas for there to be any distractions involving allegations of favoritism or personal bias on my part,” he said.

Patrick accepted his declination. Yet former campaign contributions have not impacted the ability of others to decide Paxton’s fate.

Some state senators have contributed money to political campaigns both for and against Paxton. They will now decide whether to permanently remove him from office.

According to Texas Ethics Commission records, Galveston-area state senator Mayes Middleton donated $300,000 to Louie Gohmert, the East Texas Congressman who ran to unseat Paxton in 2022. The donation came on Nov. 26, 2021 — just four days after Gohmert announced his campaign. Gohmert based his campaign on Paxton’s “improprieties,” often citing the Attorney General’s fraud and bribery accusations.-- excerpt, rest at link above --

Quote: Tinker wrote in post #79

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There are many pretrial motions that must be dealt with prior to trial, if there even is one in the end. Personally, I'm hoping that the Senate will do as it should and throw the whole thing out prior to trial.

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Dan Patrick Appoints New Counsel for Paxton Impeachment Trial
Patrick’s previous choice declined the offer after campaign finance reports revealed a close relationship with those seeking to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Brandon Waltens | August 28, 2023

https://texasscorecard.com/state/dan-patrick-appoints-new-counsel-for-paxton-impeachment-trial/

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has appointed new legal counsel for himself in the upcoming impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton. This comes after Patrick’s previous choice declined the offer, following revelations of his long-standing relationships with those pushing the impeachment.

On Monday, Patrick—who will preside over the Senate’s trial—appointed Justice Lana Myers to the position. Myers previously served as a Justice on the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals from 2009-2022.

“Today, pursuant to the Rules of Impeachment adopted by the members of the Senate, I am pleased to appoint Justice Lana Myers to assist me during the upcoming impeachment trial which starts on September 5. Justice Myers is an extremely well-qualified candidate with courtroom experience as an attorney and a judge,” said Patrick.


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Quote: Tinker wrote in post #83

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We have six senators consistently voting to do the right thing and dismiss this sham with prejudice. Twenty-four, including Charles Schwertner, voting consistently to continue with it.

All pretrial motions to dismiss all of it have now been dealt with so we now know that this sham is going to continue for a while and that, regardless of what happens now, the lawfare bastards have accomplished their mission.

Kinda writes you a book, doesn't it?

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Not good. Not good at all!

Paxton Lawyer Blasts ‘Drunk’ Speaker Dade Phelan as Impeachment Trial Begins
Tony Buzbee, one of the lead attorneys defending Paxton, called the charges “a tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Brandon Waltens | September 5, 2023

https://texasscorecard.com/state/paxton-lawyer-blasts-drunk-speaker-dade-phelan-as-impeachment-trial-begins/

The Senate’s impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton is officially underway, as both sides were given up to an hour to deliver their opening statements.

State Rep. Andrew Murr (R–Junction), who chairs the House General Investigating Committee, used less than twenty minutes, as he reiterated many of the same points he made during the House’s impeachment of Paxton three months ago.

“Mr. Paxton has been entrusted with great power. Unfortunately, rather than rise to the occasion he’s revealed his true character and as the overwhelming evidence will show he is not fit to be the Attorney General for the state of Texas,” said Murr.

A striking moment came when Murr acknowledged accusations from Paxton that many of the House impeachment articles do not allege actual crimes.

“Mr. Paxton argues that the articles do not allege impeachable conduct because they cannot allege that he committed a crime. We do allege that he committed crimes,” said Murr.

“Wrongs justifying impeachment don’t have to be crimes. Wrongs justifying impeachment are broader than that because they have the purpose of protecting the state, not punishing the offender. Mr. Paxton should be removed from office because he failed to protect the state and instead used the power of elected office for his own benefit. And this was wrong,” he continued.

Tony Buzbee, one of the lead attorneys defending Paxton, took his opportunity to call the charges, “a tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

“What has been attempted here hasn’t happened in our state in 100 years,” said Buzbee. “This scheme was rushed. It was secret. It was poorly planned and was totally unsupported by evidence.”

“Texans chose in the voting booth who they wanted to be their attorney general. Despite the same baseless allegations that are being made here, but because of what this house has done, only 30 people out of almost 30 million will decide whether Ken Paxton is allowed to serve in the office he was voted into. That’s not how it’s supposed to work,” said Buzbee.

He also took shots at House Speaker Dade Phelan for seemingly retaliatory actions after Paxton accused him of being intoxicated while presiding over the House.

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This is video from last night in the Texas House of Representatives where it appears that TX House Speaker Dade Phelan is either really drunk or having a stroke. pic.twitter.com/dbSG7AO30r

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 20, 2023

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“Speaker Dade Phelan was so drunk running House business. He could barely even hold the gavel, and that drunkenness was on video. It was on the internet for the entire world to see,” said Buzbee. “Four days later, on May 23. Ken Paxton issued a statement and called for Dade to resign. In response, the committee hurriedly met that very next day, conducted a four-hour hearing, and recommended impeachment the day after that.”


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