Ken Paxton’s alleged mistress unable to testify in impeachment trial.
Missed Opportunity: Alleged Mistress of Texas Attorney General Fails to Testify in Impeachment Trial
Excitement filled the air as Laura Olson, the alleged mistress of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, arrived at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday. It seemed certain that she would take the stand as a star witness in the impeachment trial against Paxton. However, prosecutors’ hopes were shattered when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced that she was “deemed unavailable to testify.”
Paxton himself has been absent from the state Senate chamber since the beginning of the trial, where he pleaded not guilty to 16 articles of impeachment for various alleged white-collar crimes during his time in office since 2019. Meanwhile, his wife, Angela Paxton, a state senator, has been present but unable to vote due to a perceived conflict of interest.
Anticipation and Disappointment
The reason behind Laura Olson’s absence from the stand was not explained by Patrick, leaving many questions unanswered. Fox News reported that it was unclear whether she would be available to testify in the future. Her testimony was highly anticipated, as previous witnesses had mostly been attorney general staffers and whistleblowers with law enforcement backgrounds. Alongside Nate Paul, the wealthy political donor at the center of the investigation who has also not testified, Olson was undoubtedly one of the most intriguing figures to be heard.
The Senate gallery was filled to the brim on Wednesday, eagerly awaiting Olson’s testimony. The Washington Post reported that it was the fullest the gallery had been since the trial’s first day. However, her presence turned out to be unnecessary, as Patrick announced the decision that both sides had agreed upon.
A Pivotal Moment Approaches
With the prosecution resting its case, a crucial Thursday morning looms ahead. Senators are expected to vote on the motion to ban Ken Paxton from holding public office. This vote holds immense significance for the future of Paxton’s political career.
The Texas House had already voted overwhelmingly to impeach Paxton in May, making him only the third official in Texas history to face impeachment. This move came after years of ethical inquiries into allegations of misconduct, including bribery and abuse of office power.
Before his suspension in May, Ken Paxton had served as the attorney general of Texas since 2015.
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