Letters to the Editor — Should Texas taxpayers cover Ken Paxton’s $3.3 million settlement?

Remember this subsequent election

Re: “AG will pay $3M, apologize — Settlement with ex-employees likely to come from state funds,” Feb. 11 news story.

It’s necessary to maintain public officers accountable for his or her actions, and it’s unlucky that taxpayers are left to foot the invoice for the penalties of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s alleged misconduct. The use of taxpayer {dollars} to settle lawsuits associated to misconduct by elected officers is a pervasive drawback in our political system.

It is necessary for voters to take into account the character and authorized historical past of candidates when making their selections in elections, together with any ongoing or earlier authorized points. Candidates who’ve a historical past of felony conduct or allegations of corruption will not be fiscally accountable, as their actions might lead to monetary penalties for taxpayers.

It is necessary to fastidiously analysis candidates and their data earlier than casting a vote, to be sure that they’re match to serve in workplace and make accountable selections on behalf of their constituents.

Chanda Parbhoo, Dallas

Paxton walks away

Do I perceive this appropriately? Attorney General Ken Paxton, in return for election contributions, seemingly illegally used his place and workplace so as to affect the final result of economic actions for people who paid contributions to his marketing campaign. These actions had been so egregious that a number of key staff inside his workplace, staff whom Paxton had handpicked and employed, reported his purported unlawful actions to the authorities.

In return, Paxton both pressured them into leaving their positions or face being fired. They then filed swimsuit in opposition to Paxton for violating whistleblower legal guidelines.

In response to this swimsuit, Paxton paid nearly half a million {dollars} of taxpayer cash to his protection attorneys. Now, as reported in The Dallas Morning News, Paxton has settled the swimsuit agreeing to pay his former staff $3.3 million, which will likely be paid with taxpayer cash.

Somehow, I really feel like I’m lacking the a part of the story about Paxton’s punishment for his unethical, probably felony acts. All I see is the taxpayers of Texas placing up nearly $4 million for his misdeeds and Paxton strolling away with a smile on his face.

Thomas Campbell, Highland Village

Cartoon a chuckle

I nearly spit out my espresso once I turned to the editorial web page Tuesday and noticed Scott Stantis’ cartoon caricature of Ken Paxton giving (presumably) considered one of his workplace employees a wedgie whereas telling him he wanted his bullying high quality paid. How drolly ironic! I’m nonetheless chuckling and shaking my head.

All of the additional little touches all through the structure are beautiful. The Dallas Morning News ought to submit this for some sort of prize. Pulitzer? Berryman? Something. It’s too good to let it go unheralded!

Connie McClung, Richardson

Some Texans don’t care

I used to be going to write a letter expressing outrage that Ken Paxton’s $3.3 million settlement with whistleblowers will likely be paid by the taxpayers. However, it’s pointless.

Paxton was indicted on felony securities fraud expenses over seven years in the past and has but to stand trial. Whistleblowers in his personal workplace have been purchased off.

It’s fairly clear that Paxton makes use of his workplace to advance his political agenda as an alternative of serving the individuals of Texas. But the individuals of Texas have elected him to the workplace of legal professional basic 3 times! There is now not any level in expressing outrage. It is clear most individuals in Texas don’t care.

Bill Jewell, East Dallas

It’s solely 11 cents per Texan

Re: “Paxton won’t pay, we will,” by Vincentia Civello, and “Taxpayers stuck with bills,” by Juley Welch, Tuesday Letters.

Two readers complain that taxpayers may need to pay a $3.3 million settlement to state employees. That works out to 11 cents per Texan.

I didn’t hear a peep about the federal tax invoice for pandemic aid fraud now estimated at greater than $100 billion, or $300 per American.

Be glad we don’t have the authorities of California, which proposes to spend $569 billion on reparations, costing $14,500 per resident.

Ken Ashby, Dallas

Unbelievable

Our legal professional basic pays $3.3 million and apologize to ex-employees, to be paid by state funds. This is unbelievable, but it’s not.

Ken Paxton was charged with two felonies seven years in the past for securities fraud. He has averted his day in court docket as he jockeys for a change of venue, and we pay tens of millions for his over-priced attorneys. And now this. No marvel he’s assured he can get away with it.

Two years in the past 4 whistleblowers accused him of great crimes, resigned and filed swimsuit in opposition to him. He has agreed to pay $3.3 million. Except that he isn’t paying, the state is, which implies taxpayers. Shameful!

It appears that the management of Texas depends on us being uninformed, and so they’re proper. That means they’ll get away with this type of nonsense all the time and never get known as on it. We can solely hope (a really faint hope) that the state legislature won’t agree to pay it out of state funds. And so we don’t neglect, as legal professional basic, Paxton is chargeable for upholding the legal guidelines of the state of Texas.

Cary Gremmels, Dallas/Lochwood

This shouldn’t be authorized

Hey, I’m no knowledgeable, nevertheless it certain appears improper to me that the residents of Texas have to pay a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} for Ken Paxton’s protection legal professional and one other $3.3 million to settle a state of affairs attributable to his doubtful conduct. Would your office cover prices for you beneath related circumstances?

All I can say is, if that is authorized, it certain shouldn’t be.

(P.S. I’m wondering what occurs if the Legislature doesn’t approve the fee?)

Charlotte Connelly, Cedar Hill

Think what $3.3 million may do

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won’t pay $3.3 million, however taxpayers will. How many seniors who can’t afford our state’s “deregulated” electrical energy may have stayed heat with these tax {dollars}? How many faculty packages may gain advantage from the cash Paxton has price the taxpayers over the years.

The monetary shenanigans on this state after practically three a long time of Republican management is terrifying, but a tremendous largesse for many who have untold wealth from our citizen’s want for vitality, insurance coverage and communication.

Things will solely change when voters make these losing our hard-earned {dollars} accountable.

Michael Janicek, Dallas/The Cedars

Circus goes on and on

You’ve obtained to be kidding me! After insulting his staff, calling them names and making an attempt to shame them, Attorney General Ken Paxton has now determined it’s time to name a truce and work out a mediated settlement of $3.3 million? And it seems the payout will come from state funds, i.e., taxpayers.

How far more of Paxton can Texas take? He has no disgrace, refuses to step down till his title could be cleared, and customarily disregards the use of widespread sense. When will this circus finish?

Let’s get on with a trial that has been over seven years in the works, that might probably deliver an finish to this day by day embarrassment to Texas, as Texans deserve higher.

Bob Warren, Highland Village

It’s his high quality; he ought to pay it

So the legal professional basic “accepts that plaintiffs acted in a manner they thought was right and apologizes.” Being a state official actually does pay. The settlement goes on to say that he accepts no wrongdoing and the taxpayers are on the hook for the “fine” of $3.3 million. As a taxpayer, I take this personally.

He was very slick in getting out of this one with out accepting wrongdoing though with a high quality like that, it’s simple to conclude that he’s improper, improper, improper. It’s his high quality, and he ought to pay it. Think what number of hungry kids may get faculty lunches or uninsured ladies and kids could possibly be insured for that amount of cash. There is not any fiscal accountability right here in any respect.

So we’ve got a state surplus of cash proper now. Let’s not pour it down a rat gap reasonably than doing good with it.

Carol Stephenson, Mesquite

Speedy trial for Paxton wanted

What a shameful absurdity! “…a settlement means…no admission of ‘liability or fault’ by any party”… But, by apologizing for “referring to them as ‘rouge employees,’” Ken Paxton is admitting fault. And that might be private fault, not the fault of the state.

Paxton then says “I have chosen this path to save taxpayer dollars.” Paying $3.3 million with state funds says in any other case. Why ought to the state pay something for Paxton’s private malfeasance?

I additionally proceed to ask, when will Paxton and Texas residents be afforded their proper to a speedy trial for his current felony expenses?

William Hall, Plano

Where’s the outrage?

Ken Paxton’s newest public assertion, which incorporates, “I have chosen this path to save taxpayer dollars and ensure my third term as attorney general is unhindered by unnecessary distractions.”

This is nothing greater than an exhibition of Paxton’s egregious angle and conduct. Where is the outrage?

Anne R. Healy, Richardson

Rest of us can be fired

The Dallas Morning News reviews that Ken Paxton’s high quality will price Texas taxpayers $3.3 million to settle misconduct claims by his ex-employees. This is reportedly on high of the practically half-million {dollars} in authorized charges we’ve got paid for him.

During my 43-year profession, I labored for seven firms. Each required me to signal a private conduct contract that offered for my dismissal if I engaged in any of a number of infractions.

Harassment of staff would have deservedly certified me for a boot out the door, in addition to private monetary penalties.

There is a rising decay in our management in Austin. I’ve all the time tried to vote for the greatest candidate, no matter get together. This incident, on high of many others at the state and federal ranges, makes me assume it will likely be an extended, lengthy whereas earlier than I vote for any Republican once more.

Thomas D. Kelly, Lantana

List of allegations grows longer

Once once more, Ken Paxton will use Texas taxpayer cash to fund his authorized malfeasance. Retaliation, bribery, abuse of workplace — simply one other checklist of allegations to add to Paxton’s document. When will he ever be held accountable? Why are we taxpayers paying his authorized payments? Fellow Texans, why are you electing somebody whose curiosity is completely his personal?

Judy Gorman, Keller

AG owes voters an apology

I’m appalled that Texas taxpayers once more are on the hook, this time to pay Ken Paxton’s whistleblowers settlement of $3.3 million. This man is a shame to our state. Shame on him. He owes everybody who voted for him an apology, and that also wouldn’t be sufficient.

Vera Berrill, Plano

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