Judge Orders Change Of Venue In Securities Fraud Case Against AG Ken Paxton

AUSTIN, TX — The judge overseeing the securities fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — the state's highest-ranked law enforcement official — on Thursday granted a request for the trial to be moved outside of Collin County and delayed, according to published a reports.

The change of venue is yet another setback for Paxton but a win for prosecutors, who argued Paxton and his allies had tainted the jury pool in Collin County where he resides, the Texas Tribune reported. Judge George Gallagher said the trial that was initially scheduled for May 1 will now be postponed, pending on selection of a new location in which to stage it.

Paxton's efforts to dismiss the case — a move his lawyers have unsuccessfully sought in the past — was denied on Thursday as well.

Paxton is accused of misleading investors in a high tech company when he sold shares before becoming attorney general. He is accused of soliciting investors but failing to disclose he was being paid by the company, a violation of Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Prosecutors argued for the change of venue by suggesting collusion among Paxton, his team and supporters aimed at assembling a sympathetic jury pool, as the Tribune reported.

>>> Official photo of Ken Paxton via State of Texas