Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Cleared by His Own Office of Wrongdoing in Bribery Allegations JAMES BARRAGÁN | the TEXAS TRIBUNE

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Vol. 48 No. 3 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected] August 27, 2021 TRAVIS COUNTY Texas Lt. Gov. REIGNS VICTORIOUS INSIDE OVER SCHOOL DISTRICT Falsely Blames MASK MANDATES Black People For NAACP has by PAUL FLAHIVE, TPR and response to Patrick’s “Dem DAN KATZ, TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO Black Folks State’s Low Fault” theory RAPPIN’ (TRAVIS COUNTY) - Legal battles over precau- See NUMBERS Thomas Wyatt tionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID- Vaccination Rates Page 4 Services Information 19 are rolling on across Texas. The Texas Supreme Court Thursday denied a request from Attorney General Ken Paxton to undo By David Moye a Travis County judge’s temporary restraining orders HUFFPOST that allow some counties and school districts to have mask mandates. In its ruling, the court said Paxton did not have a compelling reason to bypass the appeals process and go straight to the high court. SPIKE LEE SAYS “That may be only a temporary reprieve for HE HAS “QUESTIONS” Austin; the state can now ask the Austin-based court REGARDING 9/11 of appeals for the same relief and go back to the See THEORIES Supreme Court if they lose,” UT law professor Page 5 KING-TEARS Steven Vladeck told KUT. “But it's a reprieve none- MORTUARY, INC. theless.” In a statement, Harris County Attorney Chris- 1300 EAST 12TH ST. tian Menefee — who filed one of the cases that AUSTIN, TEXAS 78702 (512) 476-9128 prompted Paxton’s unsuccessful high court chal- Texas Lt Governor Dan Patrick Has Blamed The Black lenge — called the ruling “an important decision.” Community and Democrats For COVID 19 Surge In What’s China FAMILY VISITATION “Our lawsuit against the Governor will con- The US. Ain’t that a bitch? really hiding? Alice Taylor-King tinue, and we'll keep giving all we've got to ensure Experts want Chapel local officials and school districts can protect our (HUFFPOST) - Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick should to know. be trying to find ways to get more Texans vaccinated Friday/August 27, 2021 students and immunocompromised,” Menefee said. See STALLED against COVID-19, but he seems more interested in 3 pm - 4 pm “I'm hopeful today's decision also means the Texas Page 6

finding scapegoats. |

Supreme Court is taking a hard look at whether http://austintexas.gov/ GET FACTS THE FRIENDS VISITATION Governor Abbott is misusing the Disaster Act and During an interview with Fox News host Laura Alice Taylor-King needs to be reined in.” Ingraham, Patrick blamed Texas’ low vaccination Chapel At around the same time, the Texas 4th Court rates on the Lone Star state’s Black population - oh,

Friday/August 27, 2021 of Appeals upheld a temporary order that allows and on Democrats. | 4 pm - 7 pm mask mandates in schools in Bexar County. “Democrats like to blame Republicans” for low SELF-ASSESSMENT The appeals decision bars the state from en- vaccination rates, Patrick complained before falsely SERVICE forcing an executive order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott saying that “the biggest group in most states are Alice Taylor-King banning mandates. African-Americans who have not been vaccinated.” Chapel The rulings are a blow for Abbott, who issued “The last time I checked, over 90% of them SATURDAY the executive order in July forbidding schools, cit- vote for Democrats in their major cities and major

August 28, 2021 counties,” he added. | ies, or counties from issuing mask or vaccine man- COVID-19 PUBLIC FREE TESTING 11 AM dates. Black people are not, as Patrick claimed, the biggest group of unvaccinated people in most states. GRAVESIDE "The path forward relies on personal responsibility — not government mandates," The Repub- Texas has 5.6 million unvaccinated white people, COOK-WALDEN versus 1.9 million unvaccinated Black people, ac- MEMORIAL HILL lican said in a statement at the time. As cases began to surge in recent weeks, local cording to the Texas Tribune. A Kaiser Family Foun- SATURDAY dation report published this week found that white

governments fought back. They filed for temporary | August 28, 2021 STAY ORDERS HOME restraining orders to allow them to issue mandates. adults account for the largest share of unvaccinated 1 PM The state Attorney General's office said more than adults in the U.S. (unofficial) 50 local school districts are now requiring masks in Texas. Special Thank You To Abbott — who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week — continues to try to stop them. On Thursday, the state Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit against the San Antonio Inde- pendent School district over its mandatory vaccination policy for staff and faculty. Federal Challenges The first federal lawsuit against Abbott's execu- As of Aug. 13, Black Texans, who make up

tive order was also filed this week. 11.8% of Texas’ population, accounted for |

On Tuesday, Disability Rights Texas sued HEALTH PROVIDERS The time has 16.4% of the state’s coronavirus cases and

Abbott, arguing his ban on mask mandates violates | 10.2% of coronavirus-related deaths. TRACKING DIGITAL DASHBOARD come. This weekend, protections for people with disabilities under the I will be saying good- Americans with Disabilities Act. The nonprofit said And while Patrick said that Republicans aren’t bye to my baby as I the students are at particular risk of COVID-19 be- going to force the vaccine on people who don’t want send her to her final cause they are too young to get vaccinated. it, he also blasted Democrats for “doing nothing for resting place. The mask mandate battle is being fought in the African-American community that has a signifi- I want to thank multiple states with Republican governors, includ- cant high number of unvaccinated.” ing Florida, Arizona, and Tennessee. As of Aug. 13, Black Texans, who make up you, babygirl, for covid19 On Wednesday, President Biden said his ad- 11.8% of Texas’ population, accounted for 16.4% of bringing your daddy ministration will not sit by as governors try to block the state’s coronavirus cases and 10.2% of much love, joy, and schools from implementing measures to prevent the coronavirus-related deaths, according to The Wash- happiness for the last spread of COVID-19. The Democrat said Wednes- ington Post.

three decades. I have, day he’s directing the U.S. Secretary of Education Black and Hispanic people are still less likely | and forever will, miss Miguel Cardona to take steps to protect students. than white people to have received a vaccine, leav- CARE you until the end of “This includes using all of his oversight authori- ing them disproportionately at risk during the pan- my days. Fear not; my ties and legal action if appropriate against gover- demic. There are various systemic reasons for this. love. As I move on to nors who are trying to block and intimidate local But the Kaiser Family Foundation says that unvacci- school officials and educators,” Biden said. nated adults in those communities are also far more my next chapter, I am Cardona sent Abbott a letter saying his mask open to receiving a vaccine than unvaccinated white not alone. For HE, mandate ban conflicts with Centers for Disease Con- adults: Only 26% of unvaccinated Black and Hispanic who comforts me, is trol and Prevention recommendations and may vio- adults said they will “definitely not” get a shot, ver- with me. HalleluYAH! late federal guidelines. sus 65% of unvaccinated white adults. Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com STUDENTS – JOIN THE IN CROWD College Isn't THE VILLAGER YOUTH BRIGADE “Youth of Today, Hope for Tomorrow” Always The Application Deadline – Friday, August 27, 2021 Answer

By John Harris Jr. | VILLAGER Sports Columnist

(VILLAGER) - Ball's comments 12.5 percent more than LaMelo Ball has a point, undoubtedly struck a what they borrowed due even though it goes nerve. Black parents his- to interest. Sadly, more against generations of torically have encour- than half of those Black Black parents stressing aged their children to students say their stu- the importance of a col- pursue a college degree dent debt exceeds their lege education to their to give them their best net worth. offspring. opportunity to land a Personally, I believe Ball, the third over- job. But the landscape is high schools need to re- all selection by the Char- now vastly different. turn to the olden days lotte Hornets in the 2020 Unlike their par- and prepare their stu- NBA Draft who was ents, Black college dents to think outside voted rookie of the year, graduates can no longer the box regarding left high school early at expect to secure a job money-earning oppor- age 16 and skipped col- they can count on for the tunities. lege to play profession- next 20 or 30 years. The The stigma that not ally in Lithuania and Aus- term "entrepreneur" attending college tralia. His performance has become common- equates to failure is overseas led to his high place while the term wrong, not to mention selection in last year's "employee" is becoming antiquated. College isn't draft. less common as an infor everyone. Profiled in GQ creasing number of High school admin- Magazine, Ball said tal- young adults seek to cre- istrators should consider ented young basketball ate business opportuni- a return to giving stu- players like himself don't ties for themselves in- dents the option of pur- need to attend college to stead of combing the suing a college-bound become high draft picks. want ads. curriculum, leaning a "You wanna go to Another reason for trade, or both. Have you the league, so school's the switch in philosophy seen what electricians, not your priority," Ball is unavoidable: college plumbers and some said. "We not trippin' off loan debt. auto mechanics earn per school. We not dumb. Black college hour? Be a Reporter from YOUR school! We know how to learn. graduates have an aver- We need to listen For more information, Call (512) 476-0082 We don't need school." age of $52,000 in stu- to young folks like The Villager Youth Brigade Jalen Green, the dent loan debt, accord- LaMelo Ball more often. 4132 East 12th Street No. 2 overall pick in the ing to data from the Na- They may say it differ- Austin, Texas 78721 2021 draft, mimicked tional Center for Educa- ently than we do, but we Ball's gameplan and also tional Studies. Four owe it to them to at least *No experience necessary * Include writing sample w/application* skipped college. Green years after graduation, listen - even if it's not *Maintain good grades * Write one story per week* spent a year in the NBA- almost half of Black stu- what some of us want to *Have a positive attitude * Stipend paid every two weeks* sanctioned G League. dent borrowers owe hear. www.theaustinvillager.com THE BULLETIN THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 ~ Page 3 We Want YOU! “Harry & Meghan: Advertise With The Escaping the Palace” VILLAGER Premieres on Lifetime TV September 6 at 7pm CT Country Boyz Fixin’s 4140 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78721 Featuring Fish, Poboys, Hot Wings, Pork Chops, Homemade Gumbo, Shrimp and Alligator By Naomi Richard DINE IN OR VILLAGER ORDER TO GO Mon - Fri: 11 am - 8 p.m. Entertainment Saturday: 12 noon - 5 p.m. Reporter Closed Sunday Call (512) 928-5555 (VILLAGER) - Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace explores what re- DOUBLE ally happened inside the palace that drove Harry and Meghan to leave everything behind, so they could build a future “R” for themselves and their son Archie, according to Lifetime TV. The movie will detail Meghan’s GROCERY growing isolation and sadness, and their disap- *We cash ALL Tax Refund*Checks *Check Out pointment that “The 450l East Martin Luther King Blvd. Firm” was not defending them against the press’s WE INVITE EVERYONE! attacks. It will show Sunday “Escaping the Palace” movie poster. Photo courtesy of The CR8Agency. 10:30 a.m. Join us in-person or live on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRI_DgGJ4uc76wl_-L306Xg

Have It, she also co- us even more insight 8:45 a.m. Christian Education Ministry starred opposite Octavia into their emotions and Experience via Zoom*. Spencer in Self Made: their decision process in Wednesday Inspired by the Life of leaving the palace,” 7:00 p.m. - Midweek Prayer Service via Zoom* &RQWDFWWKHFKXUFKRI¿FHDWHEFRI¿FH#VEFJOREDOQHWIRUOLQN Madam CJ Walker both commented Morton. Dr. Ricky Freeman, Senior Pastor 1010 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78702 Child Development Center (Ages 0-5) on Netflix and recently Interestingly, the Phone (512) 478-1975 Fax (512) 478-1892 (512) 478-6709 began recurring as chemistry and romance “Alex” on NBC’s Mani- between the two came Agape Baptist Church fest. On Broadway she organically. They had In “THE CENTRE” Bldg. F-15 7801 North Lamar Blvd. (S.E. Corner of North Lamar and 183) appeared in the original known each other prior Austin, Texas 78752 companies of Memphis, to accepting the Lifetime AGAPE: A church for all people. “Where Jesus Christ is Magnified and the Love He exhibited is Exemplified.” Come, received God’s Unconditional Love for you. Evita, Motown the Mu- TV roles because of their For there is No Greater Love! sical, The Secret of My prior experience work- Church Services Success (pre-Broadway), ing together working on Sun. School – 9:30a Sun. Worship – 11:00a Mid-Week as well as the National Broadway. Against that Thurs.: Praise, Prayer and Bible Study – 7:00PM Actors Sydney Morton (l) and Jordan Dean (r). Tour of Flashdance. backdrop, they become Call: 454-1547 for transportation Photos courtesy of The CR8Agency. In an open and can- very respectful of each H. Ed Calahan, Pastor Web: www.agapebcaustintx.com did conversation about other and recognized Harry’s fear that history on Netflix and recurred the upcoming film, the talent and level of would repeat itself and as “Ludlow Fowler” in Morton and Dean were excellence exemplified he would not be able to Amazon’s period drama very transparent. “Rac- in each other’s work. protect his wife and son series Z: The Beginning ism is touched on in the “We were able to show from the same forces of Everything. His addi- film, as it shaped Harry affection, tenderness that may have contrib- tional television work and Meghan’s experi- and protection with uted to his mother’s un- includes HBO’s High ences and contributed ease,” explained Jordan. timely death. Harry & Maintenance, USA’s to their decision to leave When asked about Meghan: Escaping the Golden Globe-nomi- the palace. They en- their wardrobe selec- Palace will examine the nated series The Sinner, countered serious ob- tions, they described the dynamics between Will CBS’s Bull, and USA’s stacles and Prince Harry, process as somewhat and Harry, Kate and Royal Pains. His recent Duke of Sussex, had stressful. The Royals have Meghan, and Harry with Broadway stage work in- faced tragedies and loss such good taste in clothes Will and Charles, which cludes Macbeth, di- openly. All these emo- and they helped to form led to the ultimate break rected by Rob Ashford tions helped mold the the story being told. They from the royal ties. and Kenneth Branagh, persons we now por- had some latitude in their Actors Jordan Dean American Psycho (with tray,” according to Dean. choices, but strove to re- and Sydney Morton his ‘Harry & Meghan’ co- “It’s really hard to main true to the style of were chosen to play star Sydney Morton) di- play someone so famous Harry and Meghan. Prince Harry, Duke of rected by Rupert Goold, and still alive. There was What a delightful Sussex; and Meghan and Shows for Days trauma involved in their experience to spend DAVID CHAPEL Missionary Baptist Church SUNDAY Markle, the Duchess of where he worked oppo- decisions, and we ap- time with both actors, Christian Education 9:15a.m. | Worship 10:30 a.m. Sussex, respectively. site Patti Lupone and proached it carefully. We who portray a couple Nursery Available WEDNESDAY | Jordan Dean re- Michael Urie. had to be careful. We that’s perceived almost Worship 1st Wed. monthly 7:00p.m. | Bible Study 7:30p.m. curred as “Jake Sydney Morton’s studied them for quite as larger than life. Tune Campbell” in the second appeared on television in and watch the magic some time, and particu- 2211 East Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. and final season of including two seasons of larly their recent inter- on Lifetime, airing Sep- Austin, TX 78702 Office: 512-472-9748 Fax: 512-472-5399 Marvel’s The Punisher Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta view with Oprah. It gave tember 6 at 7pm CT. Website: www.davidchapel.org Email: [email protected] Dr. Joseph C. Parker, Jr. “A Church with a Heart Senior Pastor for The Community” MASKS Olive Branch Fellowship of Austin / All Faith Chapel 4110 Guadalupe St. Bldg #639 Austin, TX 78751 Sunday Morning “This life, therefore, is not UP! Worship @ 11: am righteousness, but growth in righteousness; not health, but healing; not being, but COVID-19 Variants, becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing Vaccinations and the toward it. The process is not yet finished, Black Community but it is going on. This is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.” --- Martin Luther (NAACP) - As the spread of the delta variant of While health disparities leave African Ameri- Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been the coronavirus continues to rise, the U.S. Center cans vulnerable to COVID-19 at higher rates, our re- Kenneth Hill, justified by faith, we have peace for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released search shows that 51% of African Americans say Pastor with God through our Lord Jesus Christ new guidance on face masks. they are fully vaccinated, and 54% continue to wear BETHEL-ST. PAUL UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH The CDC recommends that people, regardless masks in public and private settings. 877 W. Hempstead, Giddings, Texas 78942 of their vaccination status, wear a face mask in cer- While we continue to learn more about the tain indoor situations where there is a risk of “sub- coronavirus and its delta and lambda variants, the Weekly Schedule stantial and high transmission” of COVID-19. This NAACP’s COVID. Know More portal has information Sunday School 9:00 a.m. includes schools, retail stores, and some businesses. and resources you need to protect yourself, your Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. This comes as California becomes the first U.S. family, and your community. Visit the website to- Wednesday Night Bible state to mandate regular COVID-19 testing for un- day, and fight back with facts. Study 6:00p.m. Pastor J. R. Roberson vaccinated teachers as their state data shows a ris- Remember, if one of us is vulnerable, all of us & First lady (979) 542-2784 Church ing 22% new cases per week. are vulnerable. Lillian Robertson (979) 540-6352 Home Page 4 ~ THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 YOUTH BRIGADE www.theaustinvillager.com NAACP RESPONSE TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK’S COMMENTS THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE THE REASON WHY TEXAS HAS INCREASING NUMBERS OF COVID-19 POSITIVES Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds (NAACP) - The Texas NAACP and State Repre- just don’t support his extreme comments. As I heard added that Representative Garnet Coleman passed sentative Ron Reynolds are greatly concerned about an outstanding scholar say the other day, in God a health disparities bill, HB 4139, out of the House the comments of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. we trust, all others need data.” but the Lieutenant Governor’s Senate did not even Gary Bledsoe, Texas NAACP President says that “this TLBC Vice-Chair Ron Reynolds said that “it is give it a hearing, so his comments are even more is a harmful distraction, intending to divert from the comments like these that let us know the real mo- dubious. We are hopeful that the recognition of the fact that it is the anti-mask anti-science based po- tivation behind proposed election protection. We error in his comments might lead to him wanting to litical decisions by Texas’ Republican Leadership that call upon Texans of all races to repudiate this kind work with us and not always against us”. have led to the uncontrolled spread of the of race baiting. We care about all Texans, but it is The Texas NAACP sought the advice of a coronavirus in our State. clear that this wave is being moved forward by white medical expert, Dr. Dona Murphey, on the truth The CDC and the Texas Medical community conservatives who live in urban areas. of the Governor’s comments. Dr. Murphey said have been clear but the extreme Republican poli- A recent Texas Tribune analysis found that 28 “It is particularly harmful and dangerous to say cies allow you to go without a mask, even in our percent of African-Americans in urban areas are African-Americans are the cause of the spread. public schools, and this is what is causing the spread. vaccinated while 33 percent of the mostly white They have suffered the greatest harm from the This kind of rhetoric is dangerous and will lead to rural and non- metropolitan areas is vaccinated, and spread and we should be directing our attention the kind of outrageous action that we saw yester- the whites in Texas still outnumber African-Ameri- towards addressing this and not targeting this day in Washington, D.C. cans 4 to 1.” community. This is mindful of lynchings, when all people Bledsoe said “you can’t blame a state epidemic The Governor’s stand on mask mandates, the had to do was find the nearest Black person and on 12 percent of the population who mostly live failure to vaccinate sufficient numbers of Texans and say he did it and the white community would fol- amongst themselves in segregated areas. The data the campaign of disinformation are all much greater low in line, according to the State’s own data, Afri- defies the comments made by the Lieutenant Gov- causes to the increased spread.” can-Americans are only 16 percent of the current ernor. We need to change our policies in this state Bledsoe and Reynolds say they intend to reach infected group and only 10.2 percent of our total to be consistent with science. out to the Lieutenant Governor in an attempt to fatalities in this State. The NAACP calls upon the Lieutenant Gover- discuss ways of coming together in order to address Further, the Texas Tribune says that experts nor to admit this is not accurate and then pledge to the problem of the growing numbers of Texans in- estimate that 5.6 million whites compared to 1.9 work with Texas’ diverse communities so we can fected by the coronavirus, particularly as a result of million blacks are not vaccinated in Texas. The facts come together for the good of us all.” Reynolds the new delta strain. The Austin (TX) Chapter of the Links Supports Dental Care through Colgate Bright Smiles at Bertha Sadler Means Young Women Leadership Academy

Incoming Sixth Graders at Bertha Sadler Means (YWLA) with members of the Austin (TX) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated

Colgate Bright Smiles and Bright Futures Partnerships. Students were actively engaged in the (BSBF) staff provided a virtual presentation on den- discussion of oral health education with Colgate tal care for twenty incoming sixth grade students at Bright Smiles and members of the Austin (TX) Chap- Bertha Sadler Means YWLA. The mission of BSBF is ter of The Links, Incorporated. to connect and provide communities with oral Following a 30-minute virtual learning session, health education, dental treatment and referrals for students received an oral dental care kit from promoting lifelong learning opportunities and cre- Colgate for supporting health care needs. The ating a world of bright smiles and even brighter fu- Colgate Bright Smiles presentation was a success- Links Mischca Scales, Monica Woods and Angela ture for students. Link Monica Woods coordinated ful event led by Dr. Trinh, a dentist from the Dallas- Henderson, President of the the event with Dr. Rosalind Oliphant, Community Fort Worth Area. Austin (TX) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated Central Texas Only $71M given to criminal justice reform orgs Interfaith Statement out of billions pledged by companies by Ny Magee | THE GRIO on City of Austin (THE GRIO) - The police killing of George Floyd JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America — accounted ignited global protests and prompted corporate for nearly all of those commitments. Meanwhile, Budget Allocation America to pledge billions to racial justice. But more $4.2 billion of the total pledged is in the form of than a year after his death, much of the funds have outright grants. Of that, companies reported just a for Homelessness yet to be distributed and more questions about the tiny fraction — about $71 million —went to organi- funds have been raised. zations focused specifically on criminal justice re- (AUSTIN, TX) - Central Texas Interfaith America’s 50 biggest public companies from form,” the report read. commends Austin City Council for allocating Silicon Valley to Wall Street proclaimed Black Lives “Corporations are not set up to wield their $65.2 million in the 2021-22 budget to be used Matter amid the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud power for the greater good as much as we give them to provide services and housing for our home- Arbery and Breonna Taylor. These companies and credit for, a lot of times,” said Phillip Atiba Goff, a less neighbors. This is a big step forward to ad- their foundations collectively pledged nearly $50 professor at Yale University who co-founded the dress the needs of those who are experiencing billion toward racial equity. Center for Policing Equity. “They are constrained by homelessness in our communities. The Washington Post analyzed public state- things they feel they need to do to manage their Over the summer, CTI clergy and leaders ments and company reports of 44 of the compa- brand in a world where Black liberation does not have called on both Austin City Council and nies to determine how the funds were distributed. have consensus.” Travis County to dedicate federal American One key finding is that many of the organizations The Post noted that corporations are not re- Rescue Plan (stimulus) funds to end stand to profit from the $49.5 billion that was quired to report on where all the pledges are go- homelessness. We continue to ask city leaders pledged. ing, nor are they required to track the impact the to release the $84 million in ARP funds held in “Looking deeper, more than 90 percent of that funds have on the communities they are allegedly a contingency fund to address homelessness, amount — $45.2 billion — is allocated as loans or benefitting. and Travis County to allocate $100 Million in investments they could stand to profit from, more See DONATIONS, page 7 ARP funds for the same purpose. than half in the form of mortgages. Two banks — www.theaustinvillager.com HEADLINES Page 5 ~ THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 Spike Lee entertains Former GOP It’s governors vs. 9/11 conspiracy congressional the White House theories in new candidate this school year. documentary: Kimberly Klacik suing ‘I got questions’ Candace Owens And no one is by Christi Carras | LOS ANGELES TIMES for defamation winning. by Aris Folley | THE HILL By JUAN PEREZ JR., DANIEL PAYNE and MACKENZIE MAYS | POLITICO

(POLITICO) - A turf war between Republican governors and the White House over masking in schools is testing the limits of local control. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is offering vouchers and federal money to schools and parents that re- ject face coverings. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is threatening the salaries of school officials who mandate masks. And Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is fighting both mask and vaccine mandates in court. Now President Joe Biden has stepped into the fray. The White House is facing two currents of public opinion as Biden prepares to address school re- opening with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Kimberly Klacik in the coming days. Majorities of adults tend to fa- vor mask and vaccine mandates for students and (THE HILL) - Former Maryland GOP congres- teachers, but polls show hard partisan divides con- sional candidate Kimberly Klacik has filed a defa- tinue to color how the public prefers to keep kids mation suit against conservative commentator safe. Candace Owens, seeking $20 million in damages Governors’ varied approaches to Covid-19 after she said the pundit publicly made false alle- safety protocols this school year reflect those same © Provided by The LA Times Spike Lee has directed a gations about her that cost her a book deal and fractures over what it means to trust the science. documentary series about 9/11 and COVID-19 for HBO. other opportunities. Republican state executives increasingly see the (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Klacik’s legal team alleged in the suit that fight against masking kids as one of their best Owens accused the former candidate of campaign chances to show off their political power — and beat (L.A. TIMES) - Reintroducing Spike Lee: legend- fraud and of being a “madame” for a strip club, Biden on the national stage. ary filmmaker, veteran actor, powerful which led to Klacik losing a book deal and politi- The aggressive tactics and the promise of fed- producer, Oscar-winning screenwriter and — Sept. 11 cians pulling out of fundraising events with her, The eral intervention have made for a rocky back-to- conspiracy theorist? Baltimore Sun reports. school season, as Covid-19 cases among children While discussing his HBO documentary series Klacik has vehemently denied the claims in continue to surge. “NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½” — about the 2001 ter- recent months and vowed to take the matter to The president, impatient with states that won’t rorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic — in a re- court, saying Owens has “falsely” made the accu- comply with school masking recommendations cent interview with the New York Times, Lee said he sations. from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the still harbors “questions” about the national tragedy “Baseless character assassination has no place Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has after speaking with so-called Sept. 11 truthers for the in political dialogue‚” Jacob Frenkel, an attorney started to use federal power to goad them along. project. representing Klacik, told the Sun of the suit. “The Biden’s administration has threatened federal scru- The acclaimed director opted to include com- defendant chose to use her huge social media plat- tiny against states that ban mandatory masks for mentary in the four-part saga from the Architects and form to attack a respected Baltimore political fig- school staff and students, and it’s pledged to back- Engineers for 9/11 Truth, a collective of conspiracy ure; we are using the proper forum - the power of fill money governors cut from defiant local school theorists who maintain that the collapses of the World the courts - to respond. The detail in Ms. Klacik’s officials. It’s too early to say if the president’s ac- Trade Center buildings were controlled demolitions lawsuit speaks for itself.” tions will be enough to get resistant governors on orchestrated by an inside group rather than a result board. of the impacts and fires caused by terrorist plane After Biden targeted Republican governors this crashes. month by directing the Education Department to Here’s why: “Because I still don’t … I mean, I got “use all available tools” for local governments that questions. And I hope that maybe the legacy of this are trying to ban classroom face coverings, Cardona documentary is that Congress holds a hearing, a con- said local school districts have discretion to use gressional hearing about 9/11.” American Rescue Plan funds to implement indoor When pressed to share his position on the widely researched and accepted explanations, the prolific masking policies and other tactics. director doubled down. But federal funding may not change the atti- “The amount of heat that it takes to make steel tude of parents and local school officials who be- melt, that temperature’s not reached,” he said. “And lieve mask mandates infringe on each family’s then the juxtaposition of the way Building 7 fell to choice for how to protect their kids. the ground — when you put it next to other building Republicans governors in Florida, Tennessee collapses that were demolitions, it’s like you’re look- and Texas have taken a more hardline approach. ing at the same thing.” DeSantis, the fiery Florida governor considered “But people going to make up their own mind,” a top presidential contender in 2024, has offered he continued. “My approach is put the information parents vouchers to send their children to private in the movie and let people decide for themselves. I schools or a different school district if they object respect the intelligence of the audience.” to masks, while Sarasota, Miami-Dade and Broward Lee, who appears in the documentary, con- counties, among others, openly defy his rules. ducted more than 200 interviews for the project, in- Candace Owens Ken Paxton, the attorney general in Texas, sued cluding firsthand accounts from residents, first re- San Antonio’s school district to block a recently-en- sponders, politicians and journalists alongside his own The suit reportedly stems from an Instagram acted vaccine requirement for its employees. The Texas family and friends, according to HBO. video Owens posted in late June. Legislature made Abbott — not county judges, city While speaking with New York-based survivors The newspaper reports that in the 44-minute mayors or superintendents — the leader of the state’s of both Sept. 11 and the ongoing public health crisis, clip, Owens accused the former candidate of run- response to statewide emergencies, Paxton argued. Lee said he felt a responsibility to ask “tough ques- ning an illegitimate charity as well as “money laun- Dallas, Bexar, Harris and Travis counties, home tions” that triggered emotionally raw responses from dering, tax fraud and campaign fraud.” Owens also to some of Texas’ biggest cities, filed lawsuits this interviewees on camera. reportedly alleged Klacik brings in strippers for a month to protect face covering requirements for “The most moving thing to me, not including club she claimed her husband owns. students, faculty and staff at K-12 schools. archival footage, are the interviews with the people Owens acknowledged in the video that she is Abbot is likely thinking ahead to potential chal- who lost loved ones,” Lee said. “not an investigative journalist” and couldn’t con- lengers in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, said “People just bare their souls. It was very, very emo- firm the criminal allegations, the paper notes. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. tional. For me, I can’t comprehend what they’re going The suit reportedly said Klacik has made nu- “I think he’s trying his best to get to the right through. ... [It’s] hard to ask questions where you know merous efforts to get in touch with Owens to take of [primary challengers], but I don’t know that he people are going to break down. That’s not easy; it’s not fun. But I got to ask those questions.” down the video. can do that,” said Wolff, who challenged Abbott’s But not everyone was so willing to open up to Klacik rose to prominence last year during her ban on mask mandates in court. Lee, who revealed that the New York Police Dept. re- bid to fill the late Rep. Elijah Cummings’s (D-Md.) The disconnect leaves Biden to confront what’s fused to participate in the production. Speculating as congressional seat. She went viral at the time for a become “a very heterogeneous and very disjointed to why the police force declined his invitation, Lee digital ad bashing Democratic Party leadership in approach to getting kids back to school,” said Yvonne wryly suspected, “They saw ‘Do the Right Thing,’” his Baltimore, saying then, “Black people don’t have Maldonado, a professor of epidemiology at Stanford seminal 1989 film about racial inequality and police to vote Democrat.” University and the chair of the committee on infec- violence in New York City. She was backed by a number of prominent tious disease for the American Academy of Pediatrics. “They don’t look good in this,” he added. “And conservatives, including former President Trump, “In the meantime, there’s really nothing that that footage [of police officers assaulting Black Lives and brought in millions in fundraising, much of it can be done at the federal level,” she said. Matter protesters in 2020] does not lie. They were from out of state, according to the Sun. However, ”There are some things, but really only Band-Aid cracking heads.” she ultimately lost the election by more than 40 approaches.” Episode 2 of Lee’s “NYC Epicenters” series de- percentage points to now-Democratic Rep. Kweisi Lauraine Genota, Marissa Martinez and An- buts Sunday on HBO Max. Mfume. drew Atterbury contributed to this report. Page 6 ~ THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 DIASPORA www.theaustinvillager.com Experts on WHO team say search for COVID origins has stalled By MARIA CHENG | AP “Once you have LONDON (AP) — wildlife traders shifting The international scien- over to other kinds of tists dispatched to China employment because by the World Health Or- they’re worried about ganization to find out whether they’ll be able where the coronavirus to do this anymore, that came from said Wednes- window starts to close,” day the search has said Maciej Boni, a Penn- stalled and warned that sylvania State University the window of opportu- biology professor who nity for solving the mys- has studied virus origins tery is “closing fast.” and was not part of the Meanwhile, a U.S. WHO team. intelligence review or- Still, Boni said sci- dered up by President entists might be able to Joe Biden proved incon- pinpoint COVID-19’s ani- clusive about the virus’s mal source by hunting origin, including for closely related vi- whether it jumped from ruses in species like rac- an animal to a human or coon dogs, mink or escaped from a Chinese ground squirrels. But he lab, The Washington said it could take about Post reported Wednes- five years to do the kind Fu Cong, a Foreign Ministry director general, speaks at a briefing for foreign journalists at the Foreign Ministry day. of extensive studies nec- in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. China went on the offensive Wednesday ahead of the release of In a commentary essary. a U.S. intelligence report on the origins of the coronavirus, bringing out the senior official to accuse the published in the journal The search for United States of politicizing the issue by seeking to blame China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Nature, the WHO-re- COVID-19’s origins has cruited experts said the become a bitter source of origins investigation is at than 5 billion doses of and testing people who ence-based origin trac- China and beyond, test- dispute between the U.S. “a critical juncture” re- vaccine administered. might have been exposed ing efforts,” he said. ing wild bats and farm- and China, with increas- quiring urgent collabora- In their analysis, before December 2019 He accused the U.S. raised animals as poten- ing numbers of American tion but has instead published in March, the will yield diminishing re- of “hyping the lab leak tial reservoirs of the vi- experts calling for the two come to a standstill. WHO team concluded turns.” theory” and trying to rus, and investigating Wuhan laboratories close They noted among other the virus probably China said Wednes- shift the blame onto any credible new leads. to the seafood market to things that Chinese offi- jumped to humans from day that officials should China, and implied the Some other scien- be investigated, some- cials are still reluctant to animals, and they de- “concentrate on other coronavirus might be tists fear the best oppor- thing China has flatly re- share some raw data, cit- scribed the possibility of possible avenues that linked to high-level tunities to collect jected and branded ing concerns over pa- a laboratory leak as “ex- may help trace the ori- American research labs, samples might have “scapegoating.” tient confidentiality. tremely unlikely.” gin” of COVID-19 and suggesting the United been missed during the Biden in May or- Earlier this year, But the WHO ex- suggested studies States invite WHO to in- first few weeks after dered a 90-day review WHO sent a team of experts said their report was should be pursued in vestigate some of its in- some of the earliest hu- by U.S. intelligence perts to Wuhan, where intended only as a first other countries. stallations. man cases appeared agencies of both the ani- the first human COVID- step and added, “The Fu Cong, a director- Marion Koopmans linked to a Wuhan sea- mal-to-human hypoth- 19 cases were detected window of opportunity general in China’s For- and her WHO-recruited food market. esis and the lab-leak in December 2019, to for conducting this crucial eign Ministry, agreed it colleagues listed a num- Chinese research- theory. In July, even probe what might have inquiry is closing fast: any was a “pity” the search ber of priorities for fur- ers collected hundreds WHO’s Director-General triggered the pandemic delay will render some of for COVID-19’s origins ther research, including of environmental Tedros Adhanom now blamed for nearly the studies biologically had stalled but said it conducting wider anti- samples immediately af- Gheybreyesus said it 4.5 million deaths world- impossible.” wasn’t China’s fault. body surveys that might ter the coronavirus was was premature to have wide, with more than For example, they “China has always sup- identify places where found, but it is unclear rejected the lab theory, 10,000 people a day suc- said, “Antibodies wane, so ported and will continue COVID-19 was spreading how many people or ani- adding that research ac- cumbing despite more collecting further samples to participate in the sci- undetected, both in mals were tested. cidents are common.

(THE TEXAS TRIBUNE) - The U.S. House on The federal legislation is one of two bills Texas New Texas voting Tuesday passed a bill that could complicate both House Democrats have been advocating for since the coming round of redistricting in Texas and a they fled to Washington, D.C., in July to block the laws, political voting restrictions bill currently under consideration state voting bill poised for passage in the Republi- in the state Legislature. can-controlled Legislature. Democratic state law- Known as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Ad- makers lobbied Congress to pass federal legislation maps could once vancement Act, the bill would reinstate sections of that would supersede attempts in Texas to restrict the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were written to pro- voting access. again require tect people of color. Over the last decade, the U.S. The federal bill’s author, Democratic U.S. Rep. Supreme Court rolled back some of that landmark Terri Sewell of Alabama, is a native of Selma, where law’s provisions. law enforcement in 1965 brutally attacked the late federal approval The bill passed along party lines, meaning all civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis and other civil Democratic Texans in the U.S. House supported it rights activists in what is often called “Bloody Sun- under U.S. House and all Republican delegation members opposed it. day.” Should the bill also pass the U.S. Senate, it Sewell told The Texas Tribune the voting bill could put states like Texas that have a history of moving through the Texas Legislature illustrated the bill named after voter discrimination back under a process called need for her legislation. federal preclearance. That would require the state Republicans have touted the Texas elections John Lewis to once again obtain federal approval of its political bill as an election integrity measure to protect the maps and elections changes, like the controversial voting process from fraud, even though there is no BY ABBY LIVINGSTON voting restrictions bill that is currently under con- evidence it occurs on a widespread basis. THE TEXAS TRIBUNE sideration in the state Legislature. Preclearance is But House Republicans characterized the federal meant to ensure that any new election laws or bill as meddling in a jurisdiction that they argue should rounds of redistricting do not harm people of color. solely be in the hands of state governments.

Gabonese Community of Democrats Gives The Texas Legislature a Quorum Central Texas Celebrate by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon | THE VILLAGER

by Tsoke (Chuch) Adjavon | THE VILLAGER Texas House Rep (VILLAGER) - After a regular and special ses- Garnet Coleman sion, the Texas Republican controlled Legislature fi- (VILLAGER) - On August 17, the Gabonese American community held their nally have a quorum to push Senate Bill 1 into law. Independence Day celebration. Some of the dance involved Congolese dance They managed to get a quorum after certain Demo- that are famous throughout the African continent. According to an unofficial crats decided to come back to Texas Legislature to census, there are a least 250 and more people from Gabon. Some have re- work on the bill. settled in Central Texas due to political unrest and civil war occurring in their Right before the end of the regular session, native land. In Central Texas, the communities have grown due to a stable Democrats fled the State of Texas in order to break “economy”. the quorum so that republican led Legislature Moreover, the Gabonese American Diaspora continues to grow in the couldn’t pass Senate Bill 1 which makes voting Central Texas area. According to Emma with the Gabonese Diaspora, “ in the harder. As a result, the Texas Governor called two past years we have seen an increase of Gabonese in the Central Texas area. special sessions. Moreover, they are bypassing immigrant cities like that of New York City; Wash- After the 2nd Special session, some Democrats ington DC; Los Angeles; Newark and coming directly to the greater Austin area from the Houston area, such as Texas House repre- due to educational systems and jobs. sentative Garnet Fredrick Coleman decided to come Finally, it is important for the Gabonese American Diaspora to integrate it- back to Texas “ in order to fight the bill.” However, some self in the greater Central Texas area. At time immigrant groups tend to stay to Democrats are disappointed that they have broken themselves which hampers a faster economic and social mobility in those com- their fight to deny the Texas Legislature a quorum, munities. In the long run “the self-isolation hurt these immigrant communities. which, would allow them to pass Senate Bill 1. www.theaustinvillager.com CLASSIFIEDS THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 ~ Page 7 Racial justice groups received millions in donations amid the 2020 civil unrest stemming from the murder of George Floyd Continued from page 4 Change, ActBlue, National Bail Fund Network, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund, were listed as re- “Because these are pledges, there isn’t any one ceiving the highest donation amounts after the entity that will be holding these organizations ac- 2020 civil unrest. The Minnesota Freedom Fund countable,” said Una Osili, associate dean at Indi- alone received $20 million. ana University. Osili is also head of the annual Giv- “The answer to these massive problems is not ing USA report, which tracks American philanthropy. in capitalism doing better or more. It’s not going to “I wonder about the follow-through — whether the come from philanthropy. It’s not going to come will will be there in three to four years to continue from promises. It’s got to be a policy change,” said to lift up these issues,” she added. Mehrsa Baradaran, a law professor at the Univer- The Post analyzed pledges made after May sity of California at Irvine. 2020 and found that “37 companies have confirmed “We don’t want just benevolent billionaires disbursing at least $1.7 billion of the $49.5 billion Protesters march in downtown Brooklyn over and nicer, softer, more-woke monopolies. We want pledged,” the outlet wrote. Seven of the companies the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis an economic structure that allows for more mobil- that made racial justice commitments refused to Police officer on June 05, 2020 in New York ity, and we don’t have that.” disclose how much had already been spent, per the City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) report. Country Boyz Fixin’s About 20 corporate organizations reportedly AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (ACC) 4140 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78721 paid it forward to the National Urban League, 19 DISTRICT is requesting sealed bids from qualified Featuring Fish, Poboys, Hot Wings, Pork Chops, gave to HBCUs and the NAACP Legal Defense and firms for the purposes of selecting a respondent to Homemade Gumbo, Shrimp and Alligator Educational Fund, 18 were generous to the Equal provide a Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography DINE IN OR Justice Initiative, and 13 made financial gifts to the (FPLC) system for the following solicitation. ORDER TO GO NAACP, as reported by Yahoo Finance. • Request for Proposal; Mon - Fri: 11 am - 8 p.m. Saturday: 12 noon - 5 p.m. As theGrio previously reported, Color of No. 175-22-0239-00-S-SM Closed Sunday All bids must be submitted to the Procure to Pay Call (512) 928-5555 (P2P) Department buyer of record by no later than on Friday, September 17, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). Solicitation documents are available on the ACC website at: http://www.austincc.edu/offices/ purchasing/advertised-solicitations. All responses must be emailed to the buyer of record, by the date and time indicated above and annotated in the solicitation. Notice: ACC Business Offices and campus locations are currently closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. However, the Business Services Office Staff are working remotely facilitate the needs of its customers. IntegralCare is currently soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposals process for Property SCOOT OVER! Management Services. RFPs may be sent With 5,000+ miles of roads, electronically, by contacting Brody Ballard at alleys, sidewalks, and trails, the City needs your help keeping [email protected] beginning August our public right of way free of 18, 2021. The deadline to submit a proposal under obstacles, including scooters, the RFP is 5:00 p.m. CST on September 15, 2021. waste bins, vehicles, and more. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Learn more at austintexas.gov/ cleartherow Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses, are encouraged to apply.

Are you interested in doing business with the City of Austin? We are here for you! City of Austin Purchasing Office Vendor Registration 512-974-2018 [email protected] www.austintexas.gov/department/purchasing For information on the City of Austin’s Minority/ Women-Owned Procurement Program please contact the Small & Minority Business Resources at 512-974-7600 or visit www.austintexas.gov/smbr. Page 8 ~ THE VILLAGER/August 27, 2021 THE DISPATCH www.theaustinvillager.com Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Cleared By His Own Office Of Wrongdoing In Bribery Allegations JAMES BARRAGÁN | THE TEXAS TRIBUNE

(TXT) - Nearly 11 records disputes multiple months after Attorney times. The report says the General Ken Paxton's office also took a position former top aides accused in the lawsuit involving him of accepting bribes, the Mitte Foundation that Paxton's office on Tues- was "adverse to Nate day published a 374-page Paul" who would have internal report that con- had to pay a higher settle- cludes he’s innocent of ment under its guidance. the allegations. The report states Last October, seven that the foreclosure opin- former employees told ion was in response to a authorities that they be- request for guidance from lieved Paxton was using state Sen. Bryan Hughes, his power as attorney R-Mineola, during the general to aid Nate Paul, height of the COVID-19 a campaign donor and pandemic. But it does not Austin real estate devel- state that Hughes has oper, who whistleblowers publicly said he filed his have said helped Paxton request for an attorney remodel his home and general opinion at gave a job to a woman Paxton's behest, with the with whom Paxton alleg- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, listens to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick attorney general's office edly had an affair. All of during a roundtable discussion in 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) even providing the word- those employees were ing for it. either fired or left the of- Attorneys General of mains under active fed- dollars to delay and hide pressured staff to help The report also said fice under pressure after Texas," the report said. eral investigation, the from simple document Paul's attorney get infor- Cammack "legally and their complaint. Four of "AG Paxton committed no people who still work for requests and depositions mation through records properly" exercised au- the employees filed a crime." Paxton say he did nothing and pay private lawyers to requests he had filed with thority given to him by the whistleblower lawsuit The report also said wrong." The FBI is report- keep the federal investiga- other state agencies. The attorney general's office saying Paxton used his it found "no evidence" edly investigating the tion quiet. The truth will attorney general is and the Travis County Dis- position to help Paul's that Paxton had taken a claims by Paxton's former come out, but you won't charged with resolving trict Attorney's office, business interests, inves- bribe or that there was a employees. get it from Ken Paxton." disputes on open records even though some of the tigate his foes, and help quid pro quo relationship "Notably, whoever Alejandro Garcia, a laws. Paul was seeking in- employees who filed a settle a lawsuit. between Paxton and Paul. in Paxton's office wrote Paxton spokesperson, did formation related to an complaint against Paxton But in Tuesday's re- And it accuses three of this report was not willing not respond to a question August 2019 raid by state said they had no knowl- port, Paxton's office said the Paxton aides who re- to put their name on it. Of about who had worked and federal authorities on edge of the hiring of there was no basis for a ported him of breaking course, the one-sided in- on the report and what his home office. Cammack as an outside criminal complaint the law. ternal report is full of half- level of independence the The employees also counsel for the office. The against their boss, a sec- In a statement, at- truths, outright lies, and person or persons had alleged that Paxton took report says some of the ond-term Republican. torneys for the glaring omissions," the from the attorney gen- an interest in a routine employees signed off on "AG Paxton's actions whistleblowers, said the statement read. "It is a eral. The report states it is lawsuit between an Aus- the hire and should have were lawful, and consis- "takeaway from this inter- half-baked self-exonera- rooted in "documents, tin charity, the Roy R. and known about Cammack's tent with his legal duties nal report is that, al- tion by Paxton, who con- third-party interviews and Joann Cole Mitte Founda- work for the office. and prior actions taken by though Ken Paxton re- tinues to use taxpayer the application of Texas tion, and Paul's real estate The report alleges law." firm. The attorney that Penley, who the re- But it also states that general's office had al- port says should have the report is limited to ready declined to get in- known about the hire be- events that occurred be- volved in the case, but cause he had signed off fore Oct. 5, 2020, when Paxton directed the on it, misinformed the dis- the internal investigation agency to reverse itself trict attorney's office that began, and the office "re- and intervene. The effort, Cammack was not work- serves the right to update according to the ing for the attorney gen- and modify" the report whistleblowers and an eral and violated Texas and its conclusions. attorney for the charity, law. It also alleges that The report does not was intended to help Vassar committed a crime impact the whistleblower Paul's interests at the ex- when he shared informa- lawsuit, which is currently pense of the philan- tion about subpoenas awaiting a hearing at the thropic group. Cammack had filed with 3rd Court of Appeals after Last July, Paxton di- a private lawyer who pre- Paxton asked the court to rected top aides to issue viously worked as a state throw out the case. The a legal opinion on foreclo- and federal attorney. The four whistleblowers — sure sales during the report says Penley also Ryan Vassar, Mark Penley, COVID-19 pandemic that shared subpoena infor- James Brickman and the whistleblowers said mation with the lawyer. David Maxwell — have would help Paul stave off In an email included asked the court to rein- foreclosure sales of some in the report, Penley asks state them and compen- of his properties. the lawyer to forward the sate them for lost wages, And most troubling subpoenas to a law en- future loss of earnings for the whistleblowers, forcement agency. and damages for emo- Paxton hired a 34-year- The attorney Penley tional pain and suffering. old Houston defense at- asked previously served Paxton has denied torney named Brandon as a federal prosecutor, wrongdoing and said he Cammack to investigate and the internal report fired the whistleblowers claims by Paul that he had says that because because they had gone been mistreated during Cammack was investigat- "rogue" and made "un- the 2019 raid of his home ing the raid of Paul's substantiated claims" and office. home by federal authori- against him. Two Paxton aides at ties, he could have had The report claims the time, Maxwell and personal and professional that the former employ- Penley, had been charged relationships with pos- ees who reported their with looking into Paul's sible defendants. The concerns to authorities claims but had found "no whistleblowers' state- ignored facts and some- credible evidence existed ment Tuesday did not di- times "willfully obfus- to support any state law rectly address the allega- cated" them. It also charges." Penley tried to tions made by Paxton's in pushes back against close the investigation but the report. claims that Paxton ac- Paxton, Paul and his attor- Separately, Paxton cepted bribes and ac- ney pushed back. Paxton has been indicted for cuses some of the former eventually hired felony securities fraud. He employees of illegally Cammack. is seeking a third term in sharing grand jury infor- The internal report office in 2022 and has al- mation with a private law- addresses each of the ready drawn two Repub- yer and getting rid of evi- concerns presented in the lican opponents in Land dence. criminal complaint, saying Commissioner George P. The criminal com- the attorney general's of- Bush and former Texas plaint by former employ- fice ruled against people Supreme Court Justice ees alleges that Paxton connected to Paul in open Eva Guzman.