AUSTIN — Testimony in the historic impeachment trial of Ken Paxton could wrap up Thursday, after a chaotic seventh day that included the canceled testimony of his alleged ex-lover.
Paxton, a third-term Republican, was impeached on alleged abuse of office, bribery and obstruction of justice.
He is accused of trying to help thwart an FBI investigation into Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor and campaign donor, in exchange for a home kitchen remodel and a job for a woman with whom he allegedly had an affair. Several ex-aides reported him to the FBI in 2020.
Paxton pleaded not guilty at the outset of the trial, which he has not attended.
On Thursday, the defense team will present its case. The first defense witness will be University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill school of Law professor Michael Gerhardt, an impeachment expert.
The defense on Wednesday staved off the public testimony from the woman with whom the attorney general allegedly had an affair. The senators, serving as jurors, also heard from one of the ex-employees who reported Paxton to the FBI and Drew Wicker, Paxton’s former travel aide.
