Ken Paxton spent nine years under felony indictment while serving as Attorney General, was impeached 121–23 by a Republican-led Texas House, and was ordered to pay a $6.6 million judgment to whistleblowers he fired. In those same years, James Talarico was passing laws — capping insulin at $25 a month, reforming school finance, and putting Narcan in Texas schools.
Every entry below is drawn from court records, legislative journals, and public reporting. Dispositions stated in full.
The Texas State Securities Board reprimanded then–state Sen. Paxton and fined him $1,000 for soliciting investment clients without registering as required by law. Paxton admitted wrongdoing.1
Fined · Wrongdoing AdmittedA Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on two counts of first-degree felony securities fraud and one third-degree felony count of failing to register with state securities regulators, alleging he solicited investors in Servergy Inc. without disclosing his compensation. He pleaded not guilty.2
The case moved through three counties and four judges over nearly nine years — all while Paxton served as the state’s top law enforcement officer.3
Indicted · 3 Felony CountsPaxton’s own top deputies — his hand-picked senior staff — jointly reported him to the FBI, alleging bribery and abuse of office to benefit donor Nate Paul. Four were fired and sued under the Texas Whistleblower Act.4
Reported by His Own StaffThe Texas House — controlled by his own party — voted overwhelmingly to impeach Paxton on 20 articles including bribery, abuse of public trust, and retaliation against whistleblowers, suspending him from office. Only the third impeachment of a state official in Texas history.5
After a two-week trial, the Texas Senate acquitted him on all articles in September 2023, and he returned to office.5
Impeached 121–23 Acquitted by SenateFacing decades in prison if convicted, Paxton reached a pretrial agreement: roughly $271,000 in restitution to investors, 200 hours of community service, and 15 hours of legal ethics training. He was not required to admit guilt, and the charges were dismissed after he completed the terms.3
Dismissed via Pretrial AgreementA judge ruled Paxton violated the Texas Whistleblower Act when he fired the aides who reported him, and ordered $6.6 million paid to them. Paxton dropped his appeal — leaving Texas taxpayers to foot the bill.6
$6.6M Judgment · Taxpayers PayA former middle school teacher, Talarico came to the Capitol and worked on the landmark 2019 school finance overhaul — described as the most significant reform to Texas school funding in 20 years — alongside his own passed bill guaranteeing suspended students access to their coursework.7
Signed Into LawAfter his own Type 1 diabetes diagnosis — and a $684 bill for his first 30-day supply of insulin — Talarico helped pass HB 82, capping insulin copays at $25 per month for state-regulated plans.8
Signed Into LawAuthored HB 54, banning Texas law enforcement agencies from contracting with reality TV shows to film them in the line of duty — passed after Javier Ambler died in custody while a camera crew filmed.7
Signed Into LawPassed the first cap on pre-K class sizes in Texas history, opened millions in funding for social-emotional learning, and authored HB 30 giving incarcerated minors a path to earn a real high school diploma. Named one of Texas Monthly’s Top 10 Best Legislators for the session.9
Signed Into LawAuthored legislation to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada — which he says saves Texans 60–70% on common medications — and passed measures to equip schools with Narcan against teen overdoses and improve the quality and affordability of childcare.9
Signed Into LawLed the floor fight against politicizing Texas classrooms and fought to let voters decide school vouchers by statewide referendum. He lost those votes — and Texans watched him fight anyway.7
On the RecordWhile one man’s record was being read in a courtroom, the other’s was being signed into law.
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Check Your Registration votetexas.gov · Takes about two minutesNo. Paxton was indicted in 2015 on two first-degree felony securities fraud counts and one third-degree count of failing to register with securities regulators. After nearly nine years under indictment, the charges were dismissed in 2025 following a pretrial agreement — roughly $271,000 in restitution, 200 hours of community service, and 15 hours of legal ethics training — that did not require an admission of guilt.3
The Republican-led Texas House voted 121–23 to impeach him on 20 articles including bribery, abuse of public trust, and retaliation against whistleblowers, largely tied to his relationship with donor Nate Paul. The Texas Senate acquitted him on all articles after a two-week trial, and he returned to office.5
In April 2025, a judge ruled Paxton violated the Texas Whistleblower Act by firing the senior aides who reported him to the FBI, and ordered $6.6 million paid to them. Paxton dropped his appeal, leaving Texas taxpayers to cover the judgment.6
A former middle school teacher, Talarico helped pass the 2019 school finance overhaul, capped insulin copays at $25 a month (HB 82), authored Javier Ambler’s Law banning reality-TV policing (HB 54), passed the first pre-K class size cap in Texas history, gave incarcerated minors a path to a real diploma (HB 30), and authored legislation importing lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. Texas Monthly named him a Top 10 Best Legislator.9
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