Texas Audit Reveals $5M Paxton Impeachment Cost

The impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023 cost the state over $5.1 million, as revealed by a state audit requested by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The Texas House spent the majority of these funds, over $4.4 million, primarily on external legal services, while the Senate's expenditures were about $435,000. Lt. Gov. Patrick, who criticized the impeachment as a political maneuver, accused former House Speaker Dade Phelan of withholding expenditure records. The audit's release has intensified scrutiny on the impeachment process, with Patrick labeling it a misuse of taxpayer money. Despite these revelations, former Speaker Phelan has defended the impeachment, which was based on allegations of bribery and misuse of office against Paxton, although he was acquitted by the Senate.