What They Did
In October 2020, eight of Ken Paxton's most senior staff members — not one or two disgruntled employees, but the entire senior leadership of the office — simultaneously filed a criminal complaint with federal authorities. They alleged that Paxton had committed bribery and abused his office to benefit Austin real estate developer and campaign donor Nate Paul.
What Happened to Them
After reporting their boss to the FBI, the whistleblowers were fired or forced to resign from the Attorney General's office. This is the textbook definition of whistleblower retaliation: public servants who reported alleged criminal conduct by their superior were punished for doing so.
The Lawsuit
Four of the eight whistleblowers filed suit under the Texas Whistleblower Act, which protects public employees who report violations of law by their employers. The case proceeded through Travis County courts.
The Verdict
In April 2025, a Travis County District Court judge ruled that the Attorney General's office had violated the Texas Whistleblower Act by terminating the employees who reported Paxton. The court awarded $6.6 million in damages. Paxton initially appealed but dropped the appeal in July 2025, locking in the taxpayer-funded payment.
Who Pays
Texas taxpayers. The $6.6 million judgment is paid from public funds — not from Paxton personally. Taxpayers are footing the bill because a court found that the state's top law enforcement officer retaliated against the employees who tried to hold him accountable. That money could have funded college scholarships, food bank operations, additional prosecutors, or victim services.
Sources
- Whistleblower complaint filed October 2020
- Associated Press — original whistleblower reporting
- Travis County District Court — judgment, April 2025
- Texas Tribune — appeal dropped, July 2025
- CNN — whistleblower verdict coverage