On June 9, federal prosecutors brought charges of making false statements to financial institutions against a real estate developer who played a pivotal role in the allegations that led to the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Nate Paul, 36, was indicted by a grand jury on eight counts of making false statements to lenders located in Texas, New York, Connecticut, and Ireland. These false statements were used to secure $172 million in real estate loans between 2017 and 2018.
Following his arrest by the FBI and a night in jail, Paul made a brief appearance before a federal judge in Austin on Friday. He did not enter a plea and was granted release on bond. An arraignment has been scheduled for June 15. Paul’s attorney, Gerry Morris, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Although Paxton’s name was not mentioned in Paul’s indictment, Morris clarified to reporters after the hearing that the case against his client did not involve Paxton.
Paxton, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, faced impeachment by state legislators on May 27 and has been temporarily suspended from office until his trial in the Senate. The articles of impeachment against Paxton allege that he used employees from the attorney general’s office to interfere in a lawsuit against Paul, assisted the developer in obtaining information regarding an FBI investigation, and provided legal favors to Paul in exchange for renovating Paxton’s residence.
Paxton, aged 60, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In addition to his impeachment, he is also under investigation for corruption by the Justice Department, as per the special prosecutors leading the state case in Texas.
The Texas Senate will conduct Paxton’s trial on the 20 articles of impeachment, expected to take place on or before August 28.
