Top Houston attorneys to lead case against Paxton in impeachment trial
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The Texas House has tapped two high-powered Houston attorneys — Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin — to lead the prosecution of impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton during his upcoming Senate trial.
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The two defense lawyers, who have been practicing for more than 100 years combined, are known in Texas and nationally for their representation of a wide array of celebrities and politicians. They will join a team of 12 Texas House impeachment managers led by the chamber’s Investigating Committee Chair and state Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction.
“This is not about punishing Mr. Paxton,” said DeGuerin, 82, at a news conference Thursday. “It’s about protecting the public, protecting the citizens of Texas.”
Their selection Thursday bolstered the House’s prosecution team as it prepares for the high-stakes trial, which will be scheduled some time before Aug. 28. A Senate committee will meet June 20 to set trial rules and a date. Senators will decide whether to permanently remove Paxton from office.
Paxton, who is suspended from office pending the outcome of the trial, is accused of taking bribes and abusing his office to help a friend and campaign donor, Nate Paul. He’s also accused of firing his former aides out of retaliation, among other alleged crimes.
The third-term Republican has denied all wrongdoing and characterized the proceedings as unfair and politically motivated.
Hardin said Thursday that the overwhelming vote in the Republican-dominated Texas House showed that “what is right and what is just should rise above party.” The 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton exhibit a “pattern of misconduct and abuse of the office,” he said.
“We hope and pray that this will be a process that allows the public to fully examine everything,” Hardin said. “And I promise you — it’s 10 times worse than has been public.”
DeGuerin has a wealth of experience in misconduct cases involving Texas politicians: He represented Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay when he was accused of illegally funneling corporate donations to members of the Texas Legislature in 2002. DeLay was convicted but later acquitted by appellate courts.
DeGuerin was also hired by University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall, whom the Texas House in 2014 chose to admonish and censure, rather than impeach, for misconduct and incompetency.
Other famous clients include: convicted murderer Robert Durst, Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh and Texas financial fraudster Robert Allen Stanford. DeGuerin has taught law at the University of Texas for 25 years.
Hardin, 81, is also extremely well-known in Houston and beyond, having represented Enron accounting firm Arthur Andersen and celebrities and athletes like Victoria Osteen, wife of TV evangelist Joel Osteen, as well as Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Scottie Pippen and Deshaun Watson.
He noted Thursday he was headed to New York the next day for the 29th reunion of the Whitewater investigation into Bill and Hillary Clinton, in which he served as part of the special counsel.
Hardin said the overwhelming vote in the Republican-dominated Texas House showed that “what is right and what is just should rise above party.” The 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton exhibit a “pattern of misconduct and abuse of the office,” he said.
“This is not about a one-time misuse of the office,” Hardin said. “It’s not about a two-time misuse of the office. It’s about a pattern of misconduct and abuse of the office.”
taylor.goldenstein@houstonchronicle.com
Source: Houston Chronicle
