Scrutinize AG Paxton's outsourcing practices, uphold public integrity

The increasing reliance on expensive private lawyers by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton raises serious concerns about the misuse of taxpayer funds. Hiring firms with personal and political ties to Paxton, sometimes immediately before or after they donate to his campaigns, creates an appearance of impropriety that undermines public trust. The lack of competitive bidding and oversight further compounds the issue. One contingency fee contract alone resulted in a windfall of $97 million paid to a firm employing Paxton's former aide. Another lucrative contract went to the lawyer who defended Paxton during his impeachment trial. These arrangements suggest a misalignment of incentives, with private attorneys motivated by profits over public interests. The sheer costs are staggering - totaling over $2 billion in settlements so far - despite the Attorney General's office having hundreds of in-house attorneys. This excessive outsourcing warrants scrutiny into whether public funds are being misappropriated through cozy relationships rather than serving Texans. An independent investigation is needed to examine Paxton's procurement practices and uphold ethical standards for one of the state's highest offices. Unchecked, this conduct risks undermining the integrity of the justice system itself.