Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was booked by Collin County officials Monday morning on an indictment alleging he committed felony securities fraud.
According to the office of Tarrant County Judge George Gallagher, who has been assigned to oversee the case, the indictment is still on track to be unsealed at noon. But the booking page on Collin County’s website notes three felony counts: two for securities fraud involving more than $100,000, and another for acting as an investment advisor or representative without registering.
Shortly after surrendering at the Collin County jail, Paxton was released on bonds totaling $35,000, according to records with the local sheriff’s office.
There was some confusion earlier Monday morning about whether warrants had been signed that would pave the way for Paxton to turn himself in. Just before 10 a.m., Gallagher’s office said the warrants had been signed.
Neither Paxton nor his lawyer, Joe Kendall, planned to make a public appearance after the booking, according to a spokesman for Kendall. Paxton’s side is expected to issue a written statement on the case later Monday.
As reporters waited for a possible appearance by Paxton at the Collin County courthouse, the Texas GOP issued a statement criticizing the “sloppy process” leading up to the charges.
“Ken Paxton, like all Americans, deserves to have his say in a court of law, rather than be judged in a court of public opinion that is presided over by liberal interest groups,” Aaron Whitehead, the party’s spokesman, said in a statement.
Articled written by Patrick Svitek, of The Texas Tribune – Aug. 3, 2015. Article originally appears at: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/08/03/paxton-set-surrender-securities-fraud-indictment/
