Changes

Four of the fired staffers then sued Paxton and OAG, claiming they were fired in retaliation for being whistleblowers.  In an attempt to avoid discovery, which might have revealed the extent of corrupt activity, Paxton quickly agreed to a settlement whereby he would publicly apologize for his comments (he had publicly called them "rogue employees"), and notably pay the staffers $3.3 million.  However, Texas law requires such a settlement to be approved by the Legislature before payment; it was when Paxton sought approval for the payment that the Legislature began its investigation into Paxton, as Paxton refused to provide any reason for the settlement to either the House Appropriations Commitee (which writes the budget and approves spending for such matters) or the House Commitee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence (which has oversight of OAG).

Four of the fired staffers then sued Paxton and OAG, claiming they were fired in retaliation for being whistleblowers.  In an attempt to avoid discovery, which might have revealed the extent of corrupt activity, Paxton quickly agreed to a settlement whereby he would publicly apologize for his comments (he had publicly called them "rogue employees"), and notably pay the staffers $3.3 million.  However, Texas law requires such a settlement to be approved by the Legislature before payment; it was when Paxton sought approval for the payment that the Legislature began its investigation into Paxton, as Paxton refused to provide any reason for the settlement to either the House Appropriations Commitee (which writes the budget and approves spending for such matters) or the House Commitee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence (which has oversight of OAG).

On June 8, Paul was taken into custody at the Travis County Jail on a Federal detainer<ref>https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/06/08/austin-nate-paul-jail-fbi-federal-charges-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-scandal/70304588007/</ref>, two days after an eight-page indictment was filed <ref>https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Nate-Paul-Indictment.pdf</ref> charging him with falsification of financial records in order to obtain loans.

On June 8, Paul was taken into custody at the Travis County Jail on a Federal detainer<ref>https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/06/08/austin-nate-paul-jail-fbi-federal-charges-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-scandal/70304588007/</ref>, two days after an eight-page indictment was filed <ref>https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Nate-Paul-Indictment.pdf</ref> charging him with falsification of financial records in order to obtain loans. He would later plead not guilty to the charges.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/texas-businessman-at-center-of-ag-ken-paxton-s-impeachment-pleads-not-guilty-to-federal-charges/ar-AA1cXaQe?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=76570ea56c074fea960db0201c43a449&ei=57</ref>

==Process==

==Process==