‘Twas the night before a hearing in which media outlets planned to argue for the unsealing of documents in the divorce proceeding between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, that an agreement was reached to unseal the documents.
The media intervenors’ counsel, Tyler Bexley of Reese Marketos, told Judge Robert Brotherton Jr. Friday morning in Collin County that opposition to unsealing was withdrawn Thursday and that “appropriate” redactions are allowed in accordance with the law.
A handful of reporters sat watching the short hearing in the 468th judicial district courtroom.
The attorney general’s counsel, Laura Roach of McCathern Law Firm, told Judge Brotherton that “we believe in complete transparency.”
Roach said the attorney general wanted to unseal the documents and that Sen. Paxton was concerned about their personal information being made public. The redactions should prohibit the public from seeing things like their social security numbers and home addresses.
“Mr. Paxton has always wanted us to unseal it, and finally, we’re able to get everyone on the same page,” Roach said.
Last month, the attorney general filed a brief in opposition, stating the court should strike the petitions for lack of standing and deny the motions to unseal.
After the hearing Friday morning, Bexley said he doesn’t know what changed and was “a little bit” surprised by the agreement.
“We’re certainly pleased with the result. Whatever the reason that it changed, our clients are happy to be able to get access, hopefully today or as soon as possible,” Bexley said.
Bexley said that the documents in the case should be available by Monday at the latest. He said he and the lawyers representing the intervenors will be monitoring the docket to see if the Paxtons file a motion to keep a certain document private and will discuss with clients whether the intervenors want to oppose.
Campaign for Accountability filed a motion to unseal the records before the media intervenors.
“Given Ken Paxton’s role as the chief law enforcement officer of the state and a candidate for U.S. Senate, the public has every right to consider any material that may reflect upon his character. We’re glad the Paxtons have finally recognized this,” CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith stated in a news release.
The news organizations include The Texas Lawbook, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Houston Chronicle, ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and others.
Sen. Paxton filed for divorce in July, announcing she made her decision “on biblical grounds” and cited the attorney general’s infidelity as one of the reasons to end the marriage. The couple had been married 38 years.
Charla Bradshaw, Beth Honeycutt and Paul Leopold of KoonsFuller are representing Angela Paxton.
Jared Julian of Julian Johnson is also representing Ken Paxton.
Joel Reese of Reese Marketos is also representing the media intervenors.
The case number is 468-54065-2025.