FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding investors before he became the state’s top lawyer.
Paxton appeared in court Thursday in Fort Worth. The Republican is charged with two counts of securities fraud over allegations that he deceived investors in a tech startup that was compensating Paxton for bringing in business.
His attorney said he had submitted written requests to plead not guilty.
Paxton is one of two sitting state attorneys general in the U.S. who are fighting criminal charges. Pennsylvania Democrat Kathleen Kane is accused of leaking grand jury information.
Paxton turned himself in earlier this month and was released after a booking photo.
Paxton took office in January. Top Texas Republicans haven’t publicly rallied behind the attorney general.
Additional information on Paxton’s court appearance reported by KRLD Radio in Dallas:
During the court hearing, defense lawyer Joe Kendall announced he was withdrawing from the case. The judge gave Paxton one week to hire new counsel. The judge did not rule on two other requests from Paxton, one that the case be moved from Tarrant County to Collin County, where he was indicted…and that cameras are banned in future hearings.