AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lawyers for impeached Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton had been set to start presenting their protection Thursday because the trial that may decide whether or not the Republican is faraway from workplace winds down.

Attorneys for the bipartisan group of lawmakers prosecuting Paxton’s impeachment rested their case Wednesday after a girl who was anticipated to testify about an extramarital affair with Paxton made a sudden look on the trial, however by no means took the stand.

The affair is central to the historic proceedings and accusations that Paxton misused his energy to assist Austin actual property developer Nate Paul, who was beneath FBI investigation and employed the lady, Laura Olson. One of the 16 articles of impeachment in opposition to Paxton alleges that Paul‘s hiring of Olson amounted to a bribe.

Olson was referred to as to the stand Wednesday morning within the Texas Senate and waited outdoors the chamber. But her testimony was delayed for hours earlier than Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who's appearing because the trial’s decide, stated towards the top of the day that Olson wouldn't testify in spite of everything. He offered no additional clarification however stated each side had agreed to it.

“She is present but has been deemed unavailable to testify,” Patrick stated.

Shortly after the announcement, Rusty Hardin, a lawyer for the prosecution stated he was resting their aspect of the case. Paxton legal professional Tony Buzbee then moved to finish the trial on the grounds of inadequate proof, however later withdrew the request and not using a vote shortly earlier than the trial adjourned for the day.

Paxton, who was suspended from workplace pending the trial’s final result, isn't required to attend the proceedings and has not appeared within the Senate since testimony started final week. As the scene performed out Wednesday night, Paxton posted on social media that he was headed to Maine subsequent week to speak with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson about “the last two weeks in Texas politics.”

“It should be interesting!” he stated on X, the platform previously often known as Twitter.

Olson had been set to take the stand throughout from Paxton’s spouse, state Sen. Angela Paxton, who's required to attend the trial however isn't allowed to vote on whether or not her husband must be faraway from workplace. On Monday, she listened from her desk as considered one of her husband’s former workers testified that the key relationship took a toll on the legal professional basic’s workplace.

Olson additionally beforehand labored for Republican state Sen. Donna Campbell, who may have a vote within the trial. That underscores the various entanglements Ken Paxton has within the constructing as he fights for his political life after years of alleged scandal and legal expenses.

Former workers have testified that Paxton admitted to them that he had an affair. The three-term incumbent, who was reelected final November, has not mentioned it publicly.

Olson has not spoken publicly about her relationship with Texas’ high regulation enforcement officer and his dealings with Paul, who was indicted in June on expenses of constructing false statements to banks. Paul has pleaded not responsible.

Paxton’s former government aide, Drew Wicker, testified Wednesday, describing Paxton as a buddy and saying he met Paul 3 times, together with as soon as to ship him a manila envelope and one other to select up Paxton‘s cellphone that he had left at Paul‘s home.

When Paxton started staying in an Austin resort in 2020 whereas his house was being renovated, Wicker stated, Paxton would name off his protecting element and have Wicker choose him up and drop him off as a substitute. He stated Paxton regularly did issues and went locations that weren't on his schedule, together with conferences with Paul, and that he noticed Paxton and Olson collectively on the resort.

Wicker stated the fee for brand spanking new counter tops and cabinetry in Paxton‘s kitchen got here to about $20,000. He stated he grew involved after the contractor stated 3 times that he must “check with Nate.”

Wicker stated he instructed Paxton that he was left with the impression that Paul was concerned within the renovations of Paxton’s house.

“It felt like there might be an inappropriate relationship there,” Wicker recalled telling Paxton. He stated Paxton stated that was not the case.

On cross-examination, Paxton‘s lawyer Buzbee showed Wicker bank statements that Wicker affirmed appeared to show Paxton paying for the renovations to his home. At a June news conference, Buzbee displayed bank records that showed Paxton making that payment to a company run by an associate of Paul one day after the attorney general’s deputies reported him to the FBI.

The FBI investigation of Paxton and Paul‘s dealings additionally scrutinized the renovations, with a minimum of one Austin contractor receiving a grand jury subpoena in 2021 for data associated to the work.

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Bleiberg reported from Dallas.

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