McKINNEY, Texas (AP) _ A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a wealthy supporter of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that claimed taxpayers are paying too much to prosecute the Republican on securities fraud charges.
The order signed Thursday by Judge Mark Greenberg is the latest turn over how much the high-powered attorneys involved in Paxton’s criminal case should make _ and who can foot the bill.
Paxton has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of defrauding wealthy investors in a tech startup before becoming attorney general last year. A trial date hasn’t been set.
Dallas real estate developer Jeff Blackard wanted fees capped for two special prosecutors. Blackard isn’t a major Paxton donor but is politically active.
State ethics regulators last month ruled that out-of-state donors couldn’t pay for Paxton’s legal team.