Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s criminal trial has been pending for nearly four years. Let's review a timeline of his legal drama. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

2/ Paxton has seen delay after delay in his case, including a side dispute over prosecutor pay that has derailed the prosecution for well over a year.

With the charges dogging him, he narrowly won reelection in 2018. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

3/ Today, we’re reviewing the case’s twists and turns over the years. bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

4/ In Spring 2014, media outlets obtained documents showing Paxton was not registered with the state board while he was being paid to solicit clients for a North Texas financial services firm.

He was fined and he signed a disciplinary order. #txlege

bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

5/ A criminal case emerged in 2015. A GOP judge appointed special prosecutors.

News breaks that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating a tech firm Paxton had invested in.

In July, Paxton is indicted.

He pleads not guilty. bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

6/ In December, Paxton donor Jeff Blackard sues, arguing that the county is paying the special prosecutors too much. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

7/ In February 2016, the Texas Ethics Commission rules that Paxton may not accept out-of-state donations to fund his legal defense.

Because the charges are unrelated to his public office, Paxton also cannot use campaign funds. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

8/ The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission files civil charges against Paxton for allegedly misleading investors in a technology company. Paxton releases a video defending himself. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

9/ Financial disclosure statements in July 2016 reveal that Paxton accepted more than $329,000 in gifts from wealthy donors and “family friends” to fund his legal defense.

He maintains this strategy. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

10/ After Paxton fails to get the state’s criminal charges against him dismissed, his trial is set for May 2017.

(That obviously didn't happen.)

bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

11/ In March 2017, a federal judge throws out the federal securities fraud case against him. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

12/ Then just a few months later, the Collin County Commissioners Court votes to cease payments to the special prosecutors working on the Paxton case. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

13/ In August 2017, the Dallas Court of Appeals voids a six-figure payment to the special prosecutors, threatening the future of the case. bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

14/ A new judge agrees to delay the trial for the third time as prosecutors argue they should not have to go to court before they collect a paycheck. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

15/ The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s highest criminal court, agrees to hear the pay dispute.

The long-delayed trial is put off indefinitely. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

16/ Shortly after Paxton wins reelection, the Court of Criminal Appeals sides against the prosecutors in the pay dispute.

The prosecutors ask the high court to reconsider its decision. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

17/ And then we wait. For six months.

This week, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declines to reconsider its ruling.

#txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd

18/18 This latest decision threatens the long-delayed prosecution of Texas’ top lawyer as the prosecutors — unpaid for years — have signaled they may withdraw from the case if they cannot be paid. #txlege bit.ly/2Xxo2sd