Texas AG Ken Paxton reaches deal to drop securities fraud charges

Kan PAxton
Photo credit © Provided by Jae S. Lee via Dallas Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has reached a deal with prosecutors in his state felony trial due to start in weeks.

Prosecutors have announced a deal that drops nearly decade-old securities fraud charges against Paxton. The agreement would ultimately dismiss the securities fraud charges against Paxton.

Under the 18-month pre-trial agreement, the special prosecutors would drop three felony counts against Paxton. As part of the deal, Paxton must pay full restitution to victims, around $300,000, and must also complete 100 hours of community service, and 15 hours of legal ethics education.

The resolution lets Paxton avoid a trial, which had been set to begin in less than three weeks on April 15.

Paxton was first indicted in 2015 after being accused of duping investors in a tech startup before he was elected as Attorney General.

If he had been convicted at trial, Paxton could have been sentenced to life in prison.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: © Provided by Jae S. Lee via Dallas Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK