paxton's attempt at blocking whistleblowers' claims of bribery fails

[butters]

as appeals court upholds previous court decision

he tried to say he was exempt because he was an 'elected official' rather than 'an employee'

Roughly a year ago, eight senior aides in the attorney general's office accused Paxton — who has been shadowed by felony securities fraud charges for nearly his entire six years in office — of bribery and tampering with government records, among other things. The allegations were related to Paxton's involvement in legal matters tied to Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor and Paxton political donor.

Within weeks, all eight officials had either resigned or been driven to leave the agency. By November, four of those officials — David Maxwell, Ryan M. Vassar, James Blake Brickman and J. Mark Penley — had filed a whistleblower suit against Paxton. Those former employees are seeking compensation for lost wages and other damages, with some also requesting reinstatement to their positions.

https://www.alternet.org/2021/10/ken-paxton-2655356289/