Branch Says Paxton Should Explain Disclosure Lapses

Rep. Dan Branch is calling on Sen. Ken Paxton, his rival in the race for Texas attorney general, to answer questions about his business relationships in the wake of a Texas Tribune investigation about lapses in his disclosures.

The Tribune reported Monday that Paxton had launched an internal review of his filings with state regulatory authorities and the Texas Ethics Commission to determine whether he violated any laws by failing to report several business and professional relationships.

The investigation revealed that Paxton was being paid to solicit investment clients at a time when he was not registered with Texas financial regulators. Paxton also failed to include his solicitor gig on the employment history section of his ethics filings and left off several board positions with non-profit corporations.

Branch called the revelations in the Tribune story “deeply troubling.”

“Texans deserve an attorney general who will protect them, not prey upon them. Texas voters must know whether someone seeking to be the state’s chief law enforcement official has violated criminal or civil laws," he said. "If Ken Paxton won’t provide these answers, he should end his campaign for attorney general.”

Paxton’s campaign has declined to answer specific questions but promises to review whether its disclosures were in “full compliance” with state laws.

Paxton and Branch face off in a May 27 runoff.