The FBI investigated Paxton over donor Nate Paul; federal prosecutors in Texas reportedly believed they had enough to seek an indictment

What happened

On Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2020, eight senior aides reported to authorities that they believed Paxton had committed crimes, including bribery and abuse of office, in helping Austin real estate investor Nate Paul. On Nov. 17, 2020, the Associated Press reported, citing two sources, that the FBI was investigating those claims. ^{01 02}

In 2023 the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section in Washington took over the case from federal prosecutors in Texas. According to AP, those prosecutors had believed there was enough evidence to seek an indictment. ⁰³

On April 3, 2025, AP reported that a senior career Justice Department official had decided, in the final weeks of the Biden administration, not to prosecute, reportedly doubting that a conviction could be won. ^{03 04} Nate Paul had separately pleaded guilty to a federal charge of making false statements to lenders. ⁰³

Why it matters

For more than four years, the state’s top law enforcement officer was the subject of a federal criminal investigation. According to AP, career prosecutors in Texas believed there was enough evidence to seek an indictment before the case was moved to Washington and closed without charges. ⁰³

What the sources show

The aides’ reports were allegations. The existence of the FBI investigation and the decision not to prosecute are both known through anonymous sources quoted by AP, not through official announcements. ^{02 03}

No federal charges were filed, and no court made any finding about Paxton in this matter. According to AP, a decision not to prosecute reflects a judgment about whether a conviction could be won. It is not a finding of innocence. ⁰³