Woman with whom Texas AG allegedly had affair appears at impeachment trial but doesn’t testify

By PAUL J. WEBER and JAKE BLEIBERG
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A woman with whom Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is said to have had an extramarital affair made a sudden appearance Wednesday at the Republican’s impeachment trial but never testified despite being called to take the witness stand. The affair is central to the historic proceedings and accusations that Paxton misused his power to help Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. He was under FBI investigation and employed the woman, Laura Olson. One of the 16 articles of impeachment against Paxton alleges that Paul’s hiring of Olson amounted to a bribe. Late Wednesday, the trial’s judge, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, said Olson was “deemed unavailable to testify.” He did not offer further explanation.