AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A relationship with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is at the heart of the 2023 Republican historic GOP trial and a recent federal corruption investigation, sentenced to five years of supervised release and fined $1 million for lying to financial institutions.
Nate Paul, 38, was ordered by US District Judge David Ezra to serve four months at home confinement in the evening, but he is permitted to leave for work and other appointments during the day. Paul was facing up to six months in prison under previous legal agreements.
Paul’s attorney, Jerry Morris, did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. A spokesman for the U.S. Lawyer’s Office for the Western District of Texas declined to comment.
Paul was accused by federal prosecutors of exaggerating his assets and underestimating his debts while seeking loans in 2017 and 2018.
Paul claimed that federal agents acted inappropriately when they attacked Austin’s home in 2019. He later sought Paxton’s help, and the relationship and deal between the two men played a prominent role in the state legislator who fired each Paxton, who was later acquitted in the Senate.
Paxton has long denied fraud and was not mentioned in federal accusations against Paul.
Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is running for the US Senate in the Republican primary against Senator John Cornyn.
Paxton’s other federal criminal investigation into his relationship and dealing with Paul ended quietly in late 2024 by President Joe Biden’s administration without charges. Paxton calls the investigation a “fake witch hunt.”
Earlier this month, a state district judge awarded more than $6 million to four former Paxton aides who were fired for being retaliated for reporting allegations that they were using their office to accept bribery from Paul.
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