Texas lieutenant governor to seek audit of taxpayer money spent on Paxton impeachment

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) said he would call for an audit of taxpayer money spent during the impeachment process of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in the Texas state House of Representatives Saturday.

“Millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted on this impeachment,” Patrick said after votes were cast in Paxton’s Senate impeachment trial.

“I’m going to call next week for a full audit of all taxpayer money spent by the House from the beginning of their investigation in March to their final bills they get from their lawyers,” he added.

Paxton was acquitted Saturday on all 16 articles of impeachment he faced, meaning he will be reinstated into office after being suspended since his House impeachment in May. He was accused of misusing his office for the benefit of a real estate developer, Nate Paul, a friend and campaign donor.

Patrick is known as a longstanding ally of the Lone Star State attorney general. Before Paxton’s trial, Patrick received $3 million from Defend Texas Liberty, a political action committee backing Paxton, according to The Texas Tribune.