Indicted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is scheduled to make his first court appearance on charges that he defrauded investors before becoming the state's top lawyer.
Paxton is set to appear before a judge in Fort Worth at 10 a.m. Thursday. The Republican is charged in Collin County with two counts of securities fraud over allegations that he deceived investors, including a state lawmaker, who put money in a tech startup.
Paxton's attorneys said he will plead not guilty and demand a trial.
Paxton turned himself into jail earlier this month. He was quickly released after taking a booking photo. Gov. Greg Abbott said the legal system needs to play out but, like other top Republicans, has stopped short of publicly rallying behind the new attorney general.
Paxton took office in January.
The hearing is being held in Tarrant County instead of Collin County because of an agreement between the defense attorneys and prosecution.
