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☆ More than 100 men and women intend to pursue new allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, attorney says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Sean “Diddy” Combs may soon be facing new allegations from over 100 men and women who’ve obtained legal representation and plan to file civil suits against the embattled media mogul in the coming weeks, according to Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee. “As Mr. Combs’ legal team has emphasized, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus. Since last November, Combs has been hit with 12 civil suits, 11 of which directly accuse him of sexual assault. A source previously told CNN that the majority of accusers who filed civil lawsuits had met with federal investigators during their months-long investigation. In March, Combs’ residences in Los Angeles and Miami were searched by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, who’ve, Tony Buzbee, Buzbee, “, Combs, ” Combs, ” Erica Wolff, Wolff, vindicating, ”, ” Buzbee Organizations: CNN, AVA, Metropolitan Detention, Department of Homeland Security Investigations Locations: Houston, Los Angeles , New York, Miami, Brooklyn , New York, Los Angeles

☆ Browns QB Deshaun Watson accused of sexual assault by woman in 2020 incident
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson has been accused of sexual assault in a new civil lawsuit brought by a woman who alleges the Cleveland Browns quarterback forced himself on her four years ago when he played with Houston. According to the lawsuit filed Monday in Harris County, the woman is suing Watson for $1 million in damages. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the court documents, said the incident took place after she invited Watson to her apartment. The 28-year-old Watson served an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, stemming from those accusations. Watson has been limited to just 13 starts due to the suspension and a shoulder injury that required surgery last season.

Persons: CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson, Watson, Jane Doe, Watson undressed, Tony Buzbee, Bowler Organizations: Cleveland Browns, Houston, Browns, NFL, Cleveland, Texans, Dallas Cowboys Locations: Harris County

☆ Jeff Bezos weighs in on the chaos gripping his newspaper
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. "The journalistic standards and ethics at the Post will not change," Bezos wrote in the email, which was obtained by Business Insider and reported earlier by CNN. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Bezos bought the Post for around $250 million in 2013, but the Times reported the newspaper had $100 million in losses in 2023.

Persons: —, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, Will Lewis, Lewis, Robert Winnett, William, Sally Buzbee, Matt Murray Organizations: Service, The Washington Post, Business, CNN, News Corp, New York Times, Sunday Times, BI, Post, Times, Wall Street, The

☆ Jeff Bezos is facing a dilemma as ethical questions surrounding The Washington Post publisher grow louder
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Jeff Bezos has a decision to make — and it is one that will determine the future course of one of the nation’s most prestigious news organizations. Or he can side with his Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, which is repudiating their new leader in clear and unmistakable terms. And The Post reported Sunday that a “thief” who used deceptive tactics to obtain private material had ties with Winnett. The stories landed like a one-two punch in The Post newsroom, raising even more alarm and upping the panic level at the newspaper to new heights. When Bezos first appointed Lewis, staffers at The Post understood that he needed to appoint a publisher and chief executive who would shake things up in the newsroom.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Will Lewis, Lewis, Rupert Murdoch, Sally Buzbee, Murdoch, David Folkenflik, Robert Winnett, ”, Bezos, Fred Ryan, Donald Trump, they’re, we’ve, I’m, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Katharine Graham, Ben Bradlee, Marty Baron, ” Sonnenfeld, “ Bezos Organizations: New York CNN, Washington Post, Fleet Street, CNN, NPR, New York Times, Post, Times, Good, Yale School of Management Locations: New York

☆ Washington Post CEO Will Lewis faced with new allegations of phone hacking
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Citing a former co-worker of Lewis’, a private investigator and its own investigation of newspaper archives, the New York Times said Lewis used phone and company records that were “fraudulently obtained” through hacking and paying sources for information. A spokesperson for the Washington Post told CNN Lewis declined to comment. The Washington Post did not respond to CNN with regard to these allegations. “It’s as bad as I’ve ever seen it, truly,” one staffer said earlier this month, noting that the Washington Post has hit “rough patches” before but that the stormy atmosphere hanging over the outlet is unprecedented. In an opinion piece for the Guardian on Wednesday, Sullivan wrote that firing Lewis and finding a new CEO is “the cleanest, best move” Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos could make.

Persons: Will Lewis, Lewis ’, Lewis, “, Margaret Sullivan, Craig Newmark, Sally Buzbee, CNN Lewis, Rupert Murdoch’s, Prince Harry, Guy Ritchie, Hugh Grant, Buzbee, ”, “ It’s, Sullivan, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, — Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York Times, Times, Craig Newmark Center for Journalism, Columbia University’s School of Journalism, CNN, of Professional Journalists, Washington Post, Washington, Murdoch’s News Corporation, NPR, The Washington Post, Guardian, ” Washington Post Locations: New York, Washington, London

☆ How Jeff Bezos Is Trying to Fix The Washington Post
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Katie Robertson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When The Washington Post staff gathered in the newsroom in early May to celebrate winning three Pulitzer Prizes, one person was conspicuously absent: Will Lewis, the company’s publisher and chief executive. That’s because Mr. Lewis was in New York meeting with Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and owner of The Post, who was in the city to attend the Met Gala, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. The pair had been discussing a reorganization aimed at helping The Post turn around its business. That included creating a “third newsroom” inside The Post to focus on new editorial products, an idea blessed by Mr. Bezos, according to one of those people and another familiar with the talks. Mr. Lewis’s decision this month to go ahead with that plan has shaken The Post.

Persons: Will Lewis, Lewis, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, Sally Buzbee Organizations: Washington Post, Amazon, Post Locations: New York

☆ Morale plummets inside The Washington Post as staffers express alarm over publisher’s attempts to squash story
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Will Lewis is quickly losing the confidence of his newsroom. At The Post, according to more than a half-dozen staffers who spoke with CNN Thursday, morale has fallen off a cliff since Lewis abruptly ousted Executive Editor Sally Buzbee on Sunday. Lewis’ uncouth dispatching of Buzbee poisoned much of the goodwill he had earned with his employees over the preceding six months. Indeed, the day after he announced Buzbee’s exit, staffers pressed him in a town hall about the circumstances that led to her departure. Will Lewis, the publisher of The Washington Post, finds himself embroiled in a scandal affecting the newsroom itself.

Persons: Will Lewis, —, Lewis, Sally Buzbee, “ It’s, Lewis ’, Buzbee, Matt Murray, Robert Winnett, Rupert Murdoch’s, Prince Harry, Carlotta Cardana, David Folkenlik, Lewis “, heatedly —, Folkenflik, ” Folkenflik, Puck’s Dylan Byers, Byers, Sarah Ellison, Elahe Izadi, ” Lewis, “, Ellison, Izadi, Jeff Bezos, “ He’s, ”, don’t Organizations: New York CNN, The Washington Post, CNN, Wall Street, Fleet Street, News Corporation, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Getty, NPR, “, Columbia Journalism School Locations: New York, —, Washington

CNN —William Lewis, the new publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post, reportedly tried to kill a story about his alleged involvement in a UK phone hacking scandal coverup, offering an NPR reporter an interview in exchange for squashing the forthcoming article. The decade-old UK scandal that engulfed right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s “News of the World” tabloid, was revived in recent years in a new lawsuit filed by Prince Harry and other notable figures including Guy Ritchie and Hugh Grant. Despite Lewis’ attempt to squash the story, NPR published the article in late December under the headline “New ‘Washington Post’ CEO accused of Murdoch tabloid hacking cover-up,” featuring a 2011 photo of Lewis with Murdoch. According to the Times, Lewis told Buzbee the story didn’t warrant coverage in the newspaper. Days later, when the judge in the UK case allowed allegations about Lewis to be included in the lawsuit, the Post published another story naming him.

Persons: William Lewis, Rupert Murdoch’s, Prince Harry, Guy Ritchie, Hugh Grant, Lewis, David Folkenflik, —, heatedly —, ” Folkenflik, ”, Lewis ’, Murdoch, Sally Buzbee, Buzbee, Matt Murray, Sally, ” Lewis, “ Organizations: CNN, The Washington Post, Murdoch’s News Corporation, NPR, “, Wall, Washington Post, ‘ Washington Post, New York Times, Times, Post, Wall Street Locations: Rupert Murdoch’s “, ‘ Washington

☆ Clash Over Phone Hacking Article Preceded Exit of Washington Post Editor
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Katie Robertson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Weeks before the embattled executive editor of The Washington Post abruptly resigned on Sunday, her relationship with the company’s chief executive became increasingly tense. In mid-May, the two clashed over whether to publish an article about a British hacking scandal with some ties to The Post’s chief executive, Will Lewis, according to two people with knowledge of their interactions. Sally Buzbee, the editor, informed Mr. Lewis that the newsroom planned to cover a judge’s scheduled ruling in a long-running British legal case brought by Prince Harry and others against some of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloids, the people said. As part of the ruling, the judge was expected to say whether the plaintiffs could add Mr. Lewis’s name to a list of executives who they argued were involved in a plan to conceal evidence of hacking at the newspapers. Mr. Lewis told Ms. Buzbee the case involving him did not merit coverage, the people said.

Persons: Weeks, Will Lewis, Sally Buzbee, Lewis, Prince Harry, Rupert Murdoch’s Organizations: The Washington Post

☆ Washington Post Newsroom Reels From Sudden Editor Exit
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Katie Robertson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Sunday night, minutes after Will Lewis, the chief executive of The Washington Post, informed employees that the newspaper’s executive editor, Sally Buzbee, was being replaced, managers gathered on a conference call to hear from their boss one last time. Ms. Buzbee told them that a new organizational structure created by Mr. Lewis — effectively splitting the Washington Post newsroom and opinion section into three smaller divisions — didn’t work for her. She added that Mr. Lewis was pushing for aggressive moves to turn around The Post, and asked editors to reserve judgment for now. “I would have preferred to stay to help us get through this period, but it just got to the point where it wasn’t possible,” Ms. Buzbee said, according to a person familiar with the matter. The stunning call — which some attendees described as funereal — added to the growing tension between the newsroom and Mr. Lewis, who has set about remaking The Post since he started in January.

Persons: Will Lewis, Sally Buzbee, Buzbee, Lewis —, Lewis, “, Ms, — Organizations: The Washington Post, Washington Post

☆ Washington Post Editor Sally Buzbee to Step Down
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Katie Robertson | Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The executive editor of The Washington Post, Sally Buzbee, will step down from her role, according to a person with knowledge of the company’s plans, a major and sudden change at one of the nation’s pre-eminent news organizations. Matt Murray, the former editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, will take her place, the person said. Ms. Buzbee, 58, steered the newspaper for the last three years, a turbulent period that resulted in award-winning journalism as well as a drop in audience and an exodus of some top talent from the newsroom. A spokeswoman for The Post did not respond to requests for comment. Ms. Buzbee and Mr. Murray also didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Sally Buzbee, Matt Murray, Buzbee, Murray, didn’t Organizations: The Washington Post, Street

☆ Washington Post abruptly replaces executive editor Sally Buzbee in shakeup
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The Washington Post announced on Sunday that it had parted ways with its top editor, Sally Buzbee, in a seismic shakeup executed by new publisher and chief executive William Lewis just months before the high-stakes 2024 presidential election. “Sally is an incredible leader and a supremely talented media executive who will be sorely missed,” Lewis said in a statement. “I wish her all the best going forward.”While Lewis praised Buzbee publicly on Sunday, she oversaw a particularly tumultuous period at the venerable newspaper. The Post said that Matt Murray, former editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, will immediately replace Buzbee as executive editor. After the November election, Robert Winnett, deputy editor of The Telegraph Media Group, will take on a new role as editor of The Post, overseeing its core news offering.

Persons: Sally Buzbee, William Lewis, “ Sally, ” Lewis, “, Lewis, Buzbee, Matt Murray, Murray, Robert Winnett, Donald Trump, Rupert, “ I’m, Sally, ” Murray, Will Organizations: New, New York CNN, Washington Post, Post, Street, The Telegraph Media Group, The, Wall Street Locations: New York

☆ Sally Buzbee, Washington Post Editor, to Leave Role
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Katie Robertson | Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The executive editor of The Washington Post, Sally Buzbee, will leave her role, a major and sudden change at one of the nation’s pre-eminent news organizations. Matt Murray, the former editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, will take her place through the presidential election, the company said on Sunday night. Robert Winnett, a deputy editor of the Telegraph Media Group in Britain, will take over after the election. Mr. Murray will then transition to a new role, the company said in a news release, building a new division of The Washington Post focused on service and social media journalism. At that point, Mr. Winnett, Mr. Murray and David Shipley, who oversees the opinion section at The Post, will each report independently to Will Lewis, the chief executive and publisher.

Persons: Sally Buzbee, Matt Murray, Robert Winnett, Murray, Winnett, David Shipley, Will Lewis Organizations: The Washington Post, Street, Telegraph Media Group Locations: Britain

☆ Brandon McManus: NFL kicker accused of sexually assaulting 2 flight attendants during team flight last season
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Kevin Dotson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two women have accused NFL kicker Brandon McManus of sexually assaulting them while he was on a team flight to London last September for the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a new lawsuit. The women, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 in the lawsuit, worked as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ team-chartered flight on September 28. Both women claim that during meal service on the flight, McManus “grinded” his erect clothed penis against them. McManus also tried to kiss Jane Doe 1 earlier during the flight, according to the lawsuit. McManus, who has since signed a contract to join the Washington Commanders, denies the allegations presented in the lawsuit.

Persons: Brandon McManus, Jane Doe, McManus “ grinded, McManus, ” McManus, Brett R, Gallaway, “, Doug Pederson, ”, Tim Schlittner, Tony Buzbee, McManus ’, ” Buzbee Organizations: CNN, London, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaguars, Washington, NFL, League Office Locations: Jacksonville

☆ The Washington Post publisher disclosed the paper lost $77 million last year. Here’s his plan to turn it around
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Lewis’ plan, however, included more than just revamping The Post’s subscription offerings. While The Post clearly plans to bet big on infusing its products with A.I., it wants to emphasize the human element of its journalism. Whether the multi-pronged initiative is enough to turn The Post around, of course, remains to be seen. But the new publisher voiced confidence that these measures will put The Post on track for success. “I really hope at some point in the future, when you look back on this day,” he told staffers, “it’s actually quite a significant day in the history of our company.”

Persons: Will Lewis, strode, Lewis, “, ” Lewis, I’m, Axios, we’ve, ” Karl Wells, Lewis ’, Vineet Khosla, ”, Sally Buzbee, Kathy Baird, “ it’s Organizations: New York CNN, The Washington Post, Brit, Apple, POLITICO, Silicon Locations: New York

CNN —The Washington Post’s incoming chief executive and publisher will start the job with a mess on his hands. Workforce tensionsThe Washington Post Guild, the union that represents staffers, has been negotiating with executives on a new contract for a year and a half, but it has yet to reach an agreement. Wages and staff reductions have remained a major sticking point between the two sides, causing dismay among union members with the newspaper’s management. The Post’s management has so far rejected the union’s wage demand and has yet to directly confirm whether remaining staffers’ positions are safe from cuts, the union said. On Thursday, departing staffers were sent an email from management encouraging them to buy official merchandise emblazoned with the Post’s logo.

Persons: William Lewis, Lewis, Sally Buzbee, Patty Stonesifer, Stonesifer, ”, “, Rupert Murdoch’s, Prince Harry, Hugh Grant, —, I’m, Lewis “ Organizations: CNN, Washington, Workforce, Post Guild, Washington Post, News Corp, The Daily Telegraph, Murdoch’s News Corp, Murdoch’s, Post, NPR

☆ Washington Post Removes Hamas Cartoon After Backlash From Staff and Readers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Alexandra Bruell | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Washington Post Executive Editor Sally Buzbee acknowledged deep concerns in the newsroom over the cartoon. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/Associated PressThe Washington Post removed a cartoon depicting a Hamas spokesman putting civilians in the line of fire after multiple employees inside the newsroom and readers complained that it was racist. In the cartoon, the Hamas official has a woman and children bound to his body by rope, with a baby tied to his head. He is standing next to a Palestinian flag, and in a speech bubble says, “HOW DARE ISRAEL ATTACK CIVILIANS…”

Persons: Sally Buzbee, Graeme Sloan, “ HOW, … Organizations: Washington, Sipa, Associated Press, Hamas Locations: Palestinian

☆ Texas Senate acquits AG Paxton in impeachment trial, keeps him in office
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Brad Brooks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Paxton, a Republican, has been dogged by corruption allegations since first taking office in 2014. He still faces a state trial on securities fraud and is under investigation by the FBI. Paxton, an ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, repeatedly insisted that he was innocent and that the impeachment trial is a political witchhunt. Paxton was overwhelmingly impeached by the Republican-dominated Texas House in May. The last impeachment trial of a statewide officeholder in Texas was in 1917.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Joe Biden's, Elizabeth Frantz, Paxton, Donald Trump, Governor Dan Patrick, Patrick, doesn't, Greg Abbott, Biden, Roland Gutierrez, George P, Bush, Rochelle Garza, Paxton's, Nate Paul, Paul, Tony Buzbee, Angela, Brad Brooks, Donna Bryson, Mark Porter, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Trump, REUTERS, The Texas Senate, firebrand, Republican, FBI, Texas, Texas Republicans, Texas Republican Party, Texas House, Texas Senate, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Texas, Mexico, Washington , U.S, Longmont , Colorado

☆ Texas Senate ends deliberations in AG Paxton's impeachment trial; Vote imminent
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Brad Brooks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

He's said he is innocent and that the impeachment trial is a political witchhunt. Paxton faces 16 articles of impeachment in the Senate trial. Paxton was overwhelmingly impeached by the Republican-dominated Texas House in May. The Texas Senate has 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats. The last impeachment trial of a statewide officeholder in Texas was in 1917.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Joe Biden's, Elizabeth Frantz, Governor Dan Patrick, Paxton, Donald Trump, He's, George P, Bush, Rochelle Garza, Paxton's, Nate Paul, Paul, Tony Buzbee, Angela, Brad Brooks, Donna Bryson, Mark Porter, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Trump, REUTERS, The Texas Senate, Republican, Texas Republican Party, Texas House, FBI, Texas Senate, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Texas, Mexico, Washington , U.S, Longmont , Colorado

Mr. Mateer testified that, during Mr. Paxton’s re-election campaign in 2018, he confessed to a group of top aides, including Mr. Mateer, that he was involved in an extramarital affair. Mr. Mateer said he believed Mr. Paxton had repented. Then, in 2020, Mr. Paxton began trying on various fronts to assist Mr. Paul, Mr. Mateer said. He learned that Mr. Paul had hired the woman Mr. Paxton had been seeing in 2018. Under cross-examination, Mr. Vassar was asked whether he had brought any evidence with him to the meeting, which included Mr. Mateer, Mr. Bangert and four other aides.

Persons: Jeff Mateer, Ken Paxton, Paxton, ”, Nate Paul —, Paxton’s, —, Mr, Paul, Mateer, Angela Paxton, Ryan Bangert, “, Nate Paul, ” Mr, Ryan Vassar, Vassar, Bangert, J, Mitchell Little, Andrew Wicker, “ Nate, Wicker, Tony Buzbee, Buzbee, David Maxwell, Maxwell, Eric Gay, Paul’s, General Paxton, Dan Cogdell, Cogdell, you’ve, haven’t, “ Rather, ” “ Organizations: ” Prosecutors, Christian, State Senate, Prosecutors, Senate, Texas Ranger Locations: Texas, Austin

☆ Texas AG Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial is on the brink of a verdict as senators end deliberations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Texas Senate on Saturday ended deliberations over whether Attorney General Ken Paxton should be removed from office, putting the Republican's historic impeachment trial on the brink of a verdict. Paxton, who did not attend the majority of the two-week trial, was not seen in the chamber as some senators wandered around their desks. If convicted, Paxton would become Texas' first statewide official convicted on impeachment charges in more than 100 years. Leaning into divisions among Republicans, Buzbee portrayed the impeachment as a plot orchestrated by an old guard of GOP rivals. The verdict will be decided by 30 of the 31 state senators, most of them Republicans.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Paxton, Donald Trump, mangers, Andrew Murr, Tony Buzbee, Buzbee, George P, Bush, George W, Sen, Angela Paxton, Austin, Nate Paul, Paul, Drew Wicker, Paxton's, Wicker, Nate, general's Austin, Laura Olson, Olson, ___ Organizations: Texas Senate, Texas Capitol, Texas, FBI, Republican, Texas House, Texas Ranger, Republican Party Locations: Texas, U.S, San Antonio

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — How much does an extramarital affair matter to whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton keeps his job? Most of the senators are Republicans and one is his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, although she will not have a vote in the verdict. She said Angela Paxton sometimes called the office with questions about her husband’s schedule and that the conversations made staff uncomfortable. Angela Paxton took notes at her desk as Cary testified about the affair that began in 2018, the year Angela was won her senate seat. “We’d be impeaching people for the next 100 years.”___Find AP’s full coverage of the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at: https://apnews.com/hub/ken-paxton

Persons: Ken Paxton, Paxton, Sen, Angela Paxton, —, Tony Buzbee, “, ”, Katherine Cary, Nate Paul, Paul, Jeff Mateer, Paxton's, Ken Paxton's, Ann Johnson, General Paxton, Cary, ” Ken Paxton, Angela, Obama, ” Buzbee, paxton Organizations: Texas, FBI, Democratic, Rep, Labor Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Cary, Dallas, Austin

From the start, the courtroom drama in the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, has centered on a confrontation between the larger-than-life Houston lawyers brought in by each side to argue the case. In Mr. Paxton’s corner, there is Tony Buzbee, a well-tanned orator and onetime candidate for mayor of Houston, who successfully defended Rick Perry, a former governor of Texas, against charges of abuse of office. Not to be outdone, the House impeachment managers brought in their own big guns: Dick DeGuerin, whose list of clients included the Waco cult leader David Koresh, and Rusty Hardin, a defender of criminally accused athletes like Roger Clemens and Scottie Pippen. The voices of these high-profile lawyers have echoed for days in the towering chamber of the Texas State Senate, underscoring the unusual nature of the case. The impeachment trial, now expected to wrap up by week’s end, is the first of a statewide official in Texas in more than a century, and it has become a showcase for the deepening rifts within the Republican Party, both in the state and nationally.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Houston, Tony Buzbee, Rick Perry, Dick DeGuerin, David Koresh, Rusty Hardin, Roger Clemens, Scottie Pippen Organizations: Waco, Texas State Senate, Republican Party Locations: Texas, Houston

☆ Texas AG Ken Paxton's former aide who reported him to FBI is first key witness in impeachment trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

"The problem is the office is being used for the benefit of one person," said Jeff Mateer, who was Paxton's second-in-command at the Texas attorney generals' office. Their relationship is central to the case led by Republican impeachment managers that Paxton should be removed from office. Mateer took the stand with few onlookers in the Senate gallery for what is Texas' first impeachment trial in nearly a half century. Paxton attorney Tony Buzbee said Paxton "gave nothing of significance" to Paul and framed the proceedings as an attempt to overturn the will of voters. Paxton attorney Tony Buzbee said Paxton "gave nothing of significance" to Paul and framed the proceedings as an attempt to overturn the will of voters.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Jeff Mateer, Mateer, Paxton, Nate Paul, Paul, Dan Cogdell, Biden, Tony Buzbee, Gov, Dan Patrick, Paxton's, Sen, Angela Paxton, —, Mr, Andrew Murr, Austin, Peter Bowen, Bowen Organizations: Texas, FBI, Texas Senate, Republican, The Associated Press, Senators, Texas Republicans, Trump, Capitol, Senate Locations: Texas, U.S, Washington , U.S, Austin, May, Houston

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway with live television coverage, a former aide who reported him to the FBI on the witness stand and his wife watching from her desk in the state Senate but prohibited from participating. But how much Paxton himself will take part in the historic trial that resumes Wednesday is up in the air. Paxton pleaded not guilty Tuesday but did not return for opening arguments, when his attorneys sharply criticized the impeachment and urged Republican senators to acquit. The vote immediately suspended Paxton and made him only the third sitting official in Texas’ nearly 200-year history to be impeached. What they are doing is taking away the vote of the majority of the people of Texas,” Bowen said.

Persons: Ken Paxton, Paxton, Paxton’s, “, Dan Cogdell, Jeff Mateer, Mateer, “ Mr, ”, Andrew Murr, Biden, Austin, Nate Paul, Tony Buzbee, Paxton “, Paul, Gov, Dan Patrick, Sen, Angela Paxton, —, Peter Bowen, ” Bowen Organizations: Texas, FBI, Senators, Republican, “, Capitol, Texas Republicans, Trump, Texas ’, Senate Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, acquit, May, Houston

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