Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Paxton: Change of Venue Requested
Paxton: Change of Venue Requested
416-82149-2015
District Attorneys Pro Tem, BRIAN WICE, KENT SCHAFFER, and NICOLE
CODE CRIM. PROC. Art. 31.02/ files its motion for change of venue, or, in
the alternative, pursuant to TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. Art. 31.01/ asking
I. Art. 31.02 provides, in pertinent part, that,"Whenever the district or county attorney shall
represent in writing to the court before which any felony or misdemeanor case punishable by
confinement, is pending, that, by reason of existing combinations of influences in favor of the
accused ... a fair and impartial trial as between the accused and the State cannot be safi?fy and
speedily had ... the judge shall hear proof in relation thereto, and if satisfied that such representation
is well-founded and that the ends of public justice will be sub served thereby, he shall order a change
of venue to any county in the judicial district in which such county is located or in an adjoining
district. " (emphasis added).
2. Art. 31.01 provides, in pertinent part, that this Court, on its own motion, and after notice and a
hearing may order venue changed to any county beyond an adjoining district if it is satisfied that a
fair and impartial trial cannot be had from any cause in the county in which the case is pending.
this Court to change venue on its own motion and would show as follows:
The State of Texas cannot get a fair and impartial trial in Collin
County. Neither can the victims it represents. This issue is simply not in
doubt.
Over the course of almost the last two years, as set out over these 57
crusade clearly calculated to taint the Collin County jury pool. Team
malign, and defame the Special Prosecutors, the victims in the securities
fraud counts, Byron Cook and Joel Hochberg, and, to add insult to injury,
this Court. Team Paxton's 22-month siege against these principals has
3. To be clear, the State makes no claim that "Team Paxton" includes any members of Paxton's
defense team.
2
not merely been waged in the media, in the court of public opinion, and,
by im portantly, in the hearts and minds of Collin County citizens who will
suing the Special Prosecutors - not once but twice - in their official
capacity on "behalf of the taxpayers of Collin County,"4 the very men
and women who will make up the venire from which a jury will be
chosen in these cases, for no other reason than to attempt to defund,
and ultimately, derail this prosecution as well as to inflame the
passions, prejudices, and biases of the jury pool.
accusing this Court of not merely "breaking the law" but "raping the
taxpayers [of Collin County]" by enforcing its lawful orders to fund
the Special Prosecutors. 5
4. Je/lory Blackard v. Attorney Pro Tem Kent A. Schaffer, in his official capacity, Attorney Pro Tem
Brian W Wice, in his qfficial capacity, Attorney Pro Tem Nicole DeBorde, in her qfficial capacity,
et al, trial court no. 380-05246-2015, "PLAINTIFF'S FIRST AMENDED ORIGINAL PETITION," at 1. The
trial court's order dismissing this suit was affirmed by the Dallas Court of Appeals, - S.W.3d - ,
2017 WL 343597, Tex.App. No. 05-16-00408-CV, January 18,2017, no pet.), but refiled on January
20,2017. On January 27,2017, the trial court denied Blackard's request for a temporary restraining
order seeking to defund the Special Prosecutors. On January 30, 2017, the Dallas Court of Appeals
issued a stay prohibiting Collin County Commissioner's Court from authorizing payment for the
second round of invoices submitted by the Special Prosecutors. In re JejfiJry Blackard, No. 05-17-
00093-CV.
5. J.D. Miles, reporter for Dallas CBS affiliate KTVT, quoting Rick Santorum, "Former U.S.
Senator Calls For Case Against Texas AG To Be Dropped," \Nw\v.dfw.cbslocal.com, February 4,
3
running a series of radio ads attacking Messrs. Cook and Hochberg
and the Special Prosecutors on WBAP-AM, a 50,000 watt clear
channel station that is the highest-rated station in the Metroplex. 6
2017.
8. "I'm standing and fighting!," www.voulube.com.uploaded May 11,2016. See infra at 20-22.
9. McGaughey, "Collin County lawmakers wanted to intervene in Paxton's legal woes, text
messages show." www.dallasnews.com . October 20,2016. See iryfi-G at 24-26. Predictably, Team
Paxton has failed to explain how this Court, indeed, any court, could be in contempt of itself.
4
either on the State's motion or on its own motion:
If this Court changes venue on his own motion "from any cause," "[ilt
is difficult to envisage a state of facts by which [an appellate court]
would be warranted in finding that an abuse of discretion has
occurred."12
This Court need not elicit evidence to support its ruling changing
venue on its own motion and need only offer the parties a chance to
be heard on the matter.13
10. Allen v. State, 488 S.W.2d 460, 461 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972)(rejecting defendant's claim the trial
court was first required to make an attempt to select ajury before it could change venue on its own
motion).
11. Garza v. State, 974 S.W.2d 251, 259-60 (Tex.App.- San Antonio 1998, pet. ref'd) (defendant
has no state or federal constitutional right to be tried in his home county, and no interest in being
tried in his home county simply because he would preferred to be tried there).
12. Spriggs v. State, 289 S.W.2d 272,273 (Tex.Crim.App. 1956); Cook v. State, 667 S.W.2d 520,
523 (Tex.Crim.App. 1984)(quoting Spriggs with approval); Brimage v. State, 918 S.W.2d 466,508
(Tex.Crim.App. 1994)(op. on rehr'g)(quoting Spriggs with approval).
5
This Court's decision to change venue will be upheld on appeal if it
is satisfied "that a trial, alike fair and impartial to the state or the
accused, cannot be held in the county, without reference as to how
or from what facts and circumstances such conclusion was
reached."15
Well over 130 years ago, the Court of Appeals of the State of Texas,
at that time the court of last resort in criminal cases,16 wrote, "The law is
exceedingly jealous of the purity of the jury box, and always has been. It
seeks to shut up every avenue through which ... any improper influence,
524, 559 (1885). Eight decades before this fundamental and guiding
precept was laid down, the United States Supreme Court made it clear
all others." United States v. Hudson, 7 Cranch 32, 34 (1812). As set out
attempts to taint the Collin County jury pool, the only way that this Court
16. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals was not created until the adoption of a constitutional
amendment on September 22, 1891. www.tarltonapps.law.utexas.edu.
6
can guarantee the purity of the jury box in this matter, and to ensure "the
s
1. Team Paxton Prolonged Assa ult on the Motives)
Characte~ and Integrity of the Special Prosecutors,
Victims Byron Cook and Joel Hochberg and this Court
On April 21, 2015, Kent Schaffer and Brian Wice were appointed by
Collin County District Judge Scott Becker pursuant to TEX. CODE CRIM.
PROC., art. 2.07, "to serve as Collin County Criminal District Attorneys
Pro Tem in this matter for the purposes of assisting in the investigation
and, if warranted, the prosecution of Ken Paxton for the securities law
and, if warranted, the prosecution of Ken Paxton for any and all offenses
7
arising out of Ken Paxton's alleged violation of the Texas Securities Act." 17
Before the ink was dry on their appointment forms, indeed, well before a
Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on first-degree felonies and one
third-degree felony, Team Paxton began what was, and what continues to
media, notably Facebook 18 and YouTube, Team Paxton has accused the
17. Nicole DeBorde was appointed as a third Attorney Pro rem in August of2015.
18. Some particularly virulent Facebook by members of Team Paxton posts have likened the Special
Prosecutors to Satan, the evil-doer Haman in the Old Testament, and compared Paxton's prosecution
to the killing of Jesus. See e.g., n. 61, in.fi-a.
19. Fonner Team Paxton spokesperson, Anthony Holm, op-ed, Austin American Statesman, July
27,2015
20. Tony McDonald, general counsel for Team Paxton adjunct Empower Texans, "Feds: Paxton
Prosecutor is Motorcycle Gang Kingpin," yyww.empowertexans.com. January 5, 2017.
21. Id., "SEC dismissal latest evidence of bogus Paxton prosecution," October 7, 2016.
8
"destroy[ing] a good man's life while ripping off the [Collin County]
taxpayers 22
21. ld. "Win or lose, Schaffer and Wice stand to earn millions prosecuting Paxton if the Collin
County Commissioners Court agrees to pay them at the rate guaranteed by Becker."
22. ld. McDonald, of course, offers no evidence that Wice, who is not connected to the Bandidos
litigation, has been "directly connected" to any crime, let alone "very real crimes."
23. Team Paxton supporter Jeffory Blackard, who has sued the Special Prosecutors "on behalf of the
taxpayers of Collin County as recounted, inji'a, quoted in the Dallas Morning News, April 29, 2016.
24. Holm, quoted in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal and Texas Tribune, July 29,2015.
26. Team Paxton supporter, Midland oilman, and nominal chairman of the board for Empower
Texans, Tim Dunn, quoted in the Houston Chronicle, September 1,2015.
27. ld. Of course, Dunn has never offered an iota of evidence to buttress his inane and libelous
claim of criminal wrongdoing on the Special Prosecutors' part. In reality, and unconstrained by what
he believes are "facts," Dunn was clearly unaware the attorney who allegedly made contact with
grand jurors was Ty Clevenger, as the latter acknowledged in his blog. See www.lawflog.com.
"Conflict of interest? The Collin County DA and the Texas Attorney General are in business
9
lacking experience to handle [Paxton's] high-profile prosecution29
built their careers defending the sort of child molesters and Mexican
drug cartel leaders Paxton was elected to prosecute 34
together, and their partnership may have diverted millions from taxpayers," March 23,2015; Id.,
"Bad news for Texas AG Ken Paxton: the grand jury has left the reservation," April 8,2015.
30. Team Paxton propagandist Jon Cassidy, "Court may be bending rules for Paxton prosecutors,"
www.vY.ilts;hdD,K.QXg., September 25,2015.
31. Tanya Eiserer, reporter for Dallas ABC affiliate WF AA-TV, quoting Collin County Judge Keith
Self, January 7,2016.
32. Radio ad airing on WBAP-AM, the highest-rated AM station in the Dallas-Ft. Worth media
market the week of November 1, 2016, sponsored by watchdog.org., an organization fronted by
Dunn. See in/i-a at 28-31.
33. Holm, quoted in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal and Texas Tribune, July 29, 2015.
34. ld.
35. Holm op-ed, Austin American Statesman, July 27, 2015. In fairness to Mr. Schaffer and Ms.
DeBorde, this invective was directed at Attorney Pro Tem Wice.
10
continuing a prosecution that at least three other entities - the
Texas State Securities Board, the Travis County and Dallas County
District Attorneys' Offices - have thoroughly reviewed and each
chosen not to prosecute 3G
billing for expenses some attorneys say are not legally valid 38
37. Collin County Judge Keith Self's web site, Vvww.kcithsclf.col11. March 14,2016.
39. Statement of Collin County State Representative Jeff Leach, October 20,2016.
40. Dallas affiliate WFAA-TV, January 8, 2016, quoting Collin County Judge Keith Self.
42. Collin County Judge Keith Self quoted in the Dallas Morning News, January 12,2016.
11
the naked and unrestrained abuse of that office to violate Texas
Penal Code, 39.02 ("Abuse of Official Capacity") and to intimidate
Jeffory Blackard, who has sued the Special Prosecutors, into
dropping his case. 43
Team Paxton has not been content to limit its mass-media driven ad
Team Paxton's effort to taint the pool of prospective Collin County jurors
Byron Cook and Joel Hochberg, the victims in the securities fraud counts,
on radio and television, in the print media, in social media, and even in a
civil suit filed against them by Chip Loper, the man who is the trustee for
Paxton's blind trust. 44 Its ploy in tainting the pool of prospective jurors
Rangers in violation of the Michael Morton Act and this Court's order that
43. '''Abuse of power' alleged in Paxton case," www.watchdog.org, March 21, 2016.
44. Calco Land Development, L.L.C v. Unity Resources, L.L.C, et al., cause no. 417-04885-2016
(417th District Court of Collin County, Texas). See in./i-a at 31-34.
12
the play book of those who insist on attacking the referees, Team Paxton's
criminal justice, Jeffory Blackard, one of the most vocal and deep-pocketed
members of Team Paxton, has sued the Special Prosecutors - not just once
behalf of the taxpayers of Collin County,"46 the very men and women who
make up the venire from which a jury will be chosen in these cases. As a
four Collin County state representatives and a state senator, have all
piled on. The goal of these combatants is clear: avail themselves of the
Dallas Metroplex print and electronic media, as well as all forms of social
sending out the indelible and unmistakable message - long before jury
13
selection - that Messrs. Cook and Hochberg are men whose motives and,
the Special Prosecutors are the sworn enemies of every Collin County
being made to stand trial for a trio of felonies: he is one of Collin County's
favorite sons. Paxton is the first statewide elected official from Collin
County since 1866. 47 Paxton has never lost an election, winning fifteen
different primary, runoff and general elections, nine contested and six
defeated Dan Branch and Barry Smitherman, winning 68% of the vote in
48. All of Paxton's election results are available on the official website of the Texas Secretary of
State. www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/historicallindex.shtml.
14
Collin County; in the run-off, he bested Branch with 70% of the Collin
County vote; and in the general election, he beat Sam Houston with 66%
of the Collin County vote. In his unbeaten electoral streak, Paxton has
likely the first time any criminal defendant has asked a judge to restrict
payment to the individuals tasked with prosecuting him. While this Court
There was a "secret deal by Collin County District Court Judge Scott
Becker to allow legal fee payments to the attorneys pro tern [sic]
that are far in excess of the rates and limits established by Collin
15
County."
"Becker secretly agreed to pay the Attorneys Pro Tem $300.00 per
hour." (emphasis in original).
A mere twenty-four hours after Paxton fired the first shot, Team
restraining order "on behalf of himself and all taxpayers in Collin County,
Texas." Not coincidentally, his suit parroted Paxton's baseless motion this
Cheryl Williams, Duncan Webb, County Auditor Jess May, and this Court.
No doubt recognizing that suing this Court was, simply put, an ill-advised
and unsound stratagem, Blackard quickly non-suited this Court, and filed
50. Of course, as this Court correctly concluded on January 6,2016, Paxton's assertion that the fee
schedule provided "no exception" was cut from whole cloth and demonstrably false.
51. After the Collin County District judge to whom the case was assigned quickly recused himself,
the matter was transferred to Dallas County Judge Mark Greenberg.
16
an amended lawsuit that named the Special Prosecutors, the trio of
made sure to allude to not one) but ('two corrupt Collin County judges,"53
making the absurd claim that Judge Becker budgeted $2,000,000 to pay
the three Democratic Special Prosecutors from Houston who were in over
their heads. Blackard's wife also took the podium to rant about the "true
narrative initially crafted by Paxton met with the same end as Paxton's
"objections"; Blackard's civil suit was promptly tossed. 54 But the damage
to the Special Prosecutors in the court of public opinion had already been
53. No doubt alluding to Judges Scott Becker and Chris Oldner whom Blackard erroneously referred
to as "Oldham." This video is available at www.collincountytcx.&!OV (Commissioners Court
Yid~o1
17
done; Blackard"s unfounded avowals had already received widespread
play in the mainstream media and social media, including his laundry list
behalf of all the taxpayers in Collin County," Blackard passed the baton
to his natural allies: Collin County Judge Keith Self and the four Collin
County Commissioners, in the hope they would turn up the heat against
in the hearts and minds of prospective Collin County jurors. True to form,
natural allies are Collin County Judge Keith Self and the four county
billing the taxpayers of Collin County for "gold -plated justice,"57 and
January 11, 2016, Judge Self asked the Special Prosecutors to resign and
55. Public records reflect that Judge Self'gave Paxton a total of$979 in 2003 and 2004 for his Texas
House campaign, and that Selfs campaign committee also gave Paxton $5,000 in his 2014 race for
attorney general. Their long-standing friendship dates back to Paxton and Self being teammates on
their high school basketball team. www.keithse1fcom/testimonials. Commissioners Cheryl Williams
and Susan Fletcher each donated $250 to Paxton in November 2013. Lindell, "Collin County seeks
to cut fees for Ken Paxton prosecutors ...www.statesman.com .. September 9, 2015.
56. Eiserer, quoting Collin County Judge Keith Self, January 7, 2016.
59. Ironically, one of Commissioner Hill's Facebook friends pointed out how the movie Judge Self
wanted to produce would end. "And as for the argument that this [case] could have gone to a
neighboring DA, no one would have touched it. Look at what has happened to those who did."
(emphasis added).
19
and an "expert" in securities fraud investigations, who just happened to
live down the street from him. Although Commissioners Court voted to
Hill,GO who have long railed against the Special Prosecutors' fees on their
is the victim of, in the words of Team Paxton's varsity, a political hit job
regard to truth, justice, or the American way.Gl On May 11, 2016, not
60. As Hill pointed out in a January 7, 2016 post, "Every taxpayer (i.e., potential juror) should take
notice" of the widely-accepted belief the Special Prosecutors were, in the words of Judge Self,
"fleecing the taxpayers of Collin County."
61. There is perhaps no more rabid a varsity cheerleader on Team Paxton, at least on social media,
than Michelle Smith, who identifies herself variously as "Senior Executive Assistant" and "Political
Director" and "Former Outreach Director" to "Attorney General Paxton." In one of her more
memorable po stings on October 7, 2016, at 6:10 a.m., Smith posted a link to a Breitbart article and
railed, "I don't know how anyone can read this article, and not see this as a ... WITCHHUNT! [sic] .
... Friends, remember when they wanted to kill Jesus, an innocent man? No judge wanted to clear
him, so they kept passing him from Judge to Judge because they knew he was INNOCENT! .. This
is political witchhunt [sic] motivated by power. [Paxton] knows God has appointed him for such a
time as this ... " She has continued her ad hominem rants against the Special Prosecutors with a more
recent posting to Team Paxton followers on January 5, 2017, that, "If you don't see that these men
prosecuting General Paxton are evil men, you are blinded. Just saying. By the way, if you live in
20
coincidentally, on the eve of oral arguments before the en bane Dallas
bragged could not be filtered by "by liberal reporters, spin doctors, and
"These charges are false and I will prevail against them in court.
The public will see for themselves that [the charges] are, at their
roots, politically motivated. It's not a coincidence that the chief
witness against me is a political adversary of mine."63
standing order that he, as well as the lawyers on both sides, abide by Rule
Collin County, you are paying this guy thanks to Judge Scott Becker and three of your county
commissioners." Earlier that day, Smith excoriated both the Special Prosecutors and Judge Becker,
calling the former "bad guys from Houston ... horrible bad men" for whom Judge Becker is "100%
responsible" having made a "secret deal with these guys."
61. A mere four weeks later, the en bane court of appeals unanimously affirmed this Court's denial
of pre-trial habeas relief, a ruling the Court of Criminal Appeals declined to disturb. Ex parte
Paxton, 493 S.W.3d 292 (Tex.App.- Dallas 2016, pet. refd)(en banc).
62. True to form, Paxton's assertion is, at best, half-true. In fact, his alleged "political adversary,"
fellow Republican State Representative Byron Cook, is but one ofthe two "chief witnesses" against
him in the two first-degree securities fraud cases, with Joel Hochberg being the other. Moreover,
while Paxton asselis, as he must, that Cook is now his "political adversary," he can run, but cannot
hide from the true nature of his relationship with Cook: when Paxton was first elected as a state
representative in 2003, even Paxton will concede Cook was a mentor.
21
expect to be disseminated by means of public communication if the lawyer
whether Paxton's stratagem violated Rule 3.07, his intent could not have
been more clear: sending forth The Word to potential Collin County jurors
Nine months later, after Blackard's civil suit was tossed by Judge
that they owed it to the taxpayers cum venire members, to keep this
should take steps to avoid complying with this Court's lawful order setting
taxpayers "are absolutely irate" at what this Court has agreed to pay the
Special Prosecutors, and that they have every reason to question the
misconduct this Court has already rejected, and urged their elected local
leaders not to "play into the hands of those [presumably the Special
in." One Collin County resident declared of this Court's payment order,
"the only people that think [the order] is a good idea, is [sic] [the Special
Prosecutors] and [this Court and Judge Becker] ... [e]veryone else thinks
it's a bad idea." Sasser led the anchor leg of the relay, describing the
without a shred of credible evidence, could run over two million dollars),
64. Predictably, Blackard sought to minimize and denigrate the third-degree felony of failing to
register as an investment adviser representative leveled against Paxton, likening it, without regard
to the two first-degree securities fraud counts that carry a maximum punishment of life or 99 years
in prison, to "fail[ing] to get a driver's license that year."
23
as "outlandish," when "there was no reason to spend a penny" on this
prosecution.
adopted a resolution their constituents in the jury pool could be proud of.
They promised "a careful review" of this Court's future payment orders,
as well as appellate review to stay any such order by this Court by filing
a writ of mandamus in the Dallas Court of Appeals. But that was far from
But this resolution was apparently not enough for the political wing
try to take matters into their own texting hands. On October 20, 2016,
four Collin County state representatives G5 and a state senatorGG sent to the
statehouse in Austin by the very people comprising the jury pool "debated
65. Jodie Laubenberg, Jeff Leach, Scott Sanford, and Matt Shaheen.
24
funding for the case,"G7 funding Team Paxton has repeatedly described as
"judicial tyranny" and "in contempt of court." This series of text messages
"I'll ask Keith [Self] if they lowered the fees and discuss options to
stop [this Court's] payment." (Matt Shaheen).
Whether the Collin County legislative faction moved the ball into the
Red Zone, let alone scored, is unclear; what is clear is that they were bent
and intent on "helping Ken" even while they "dared" this Court to "hold
Collin County in contempt" for disobeying its lawful order, and doing what
they could to defund the Special Prosecutors. But the heads of Collin
County government were still not done trying to defund and derail this
66. McGaughey, "Collin County lawmakers wanted to intervene in Paxton's legal woes, text
messages show." ww\v.dallasnews.com., October 20,2016.
25
own considerable legal tab in the process. On November 17, 2016, the
Team Paxton cabal that had declared war against the Special Prosecutors
"on behalf of all taxpayers of Collin County, Texas," took aim, but, true to
who has provided legal services to Collin County for over 20 years.68 As
68. McGaughey, "Collin County officials have new plan to avoid paying for Ken Paxton's case: Stiff
a public defender." www.dallasncws.com . November 17,2016.
69. The Commissioners could not have picked a more competent, hard-working, and sympathetic
advocate to "stiff' to forward their own self-serving agenda. Goeller, "[O]nce a top North Texas
defense attorney in [Collin County]" is a veteran criminal lawyer board-certified in criminal law by
the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. "Goeller was recently in a bad car crash that's left him
with some memory loss [and is] now rebuilding his practice in part on cases like the one for which
the county [stiffed] him." Ironically, he is also a Republican precinct chair in Frisco, Texas. !d.
26
The decision means Collin County taxpayers could spend tens
of thousands of dollars to fight paying a man who did nothing
wrong and whose job is unrelated to the attorney general or
his legal troubles} in the hopes of cutting off funding for
Paxtons prosecution. 70 ...
and Cheryl Williams, to supply the tie-breaking vote, channeled the irony
of their decision by declaring, "This looks like it's going to be one of those
ironic things that we may pay more per hour for an appellate lawyer than
County would have run up a bigger legal tab to stiff Goeller as part of the
county's plan to de-fund the Special Prosecutors was far from a long-shot:
it was a lock. But Selfs Doomsday scenario was averted when, within
Collin County already knew: they'd made a huge mistake making Goeller
7l. Id.
72. Judge Self claimed that their change of heart had nothing to do with the "slew of angry emails
from [the public] and friends and supporters of Goeller" but was instead the result oftheir beliefthat
"the case Goeller was defending didn't suit their purposes" of defunding the Special Prosecutors.
McGaughey, "Collin County abandons plan to stiff public defender caught in crossfire of Ken Paxton
27
10. The WBAP-AM Radio Spots Attacking
Byron Cook) Joel Hochberg, and the Special Prosecutors
web, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofie 3 with close ties to Tim Dunn, a Midland oilman,
the darkest days of his 2014 runoff election against Dan Branch for
73. While it claims to be an organization dedicated to "disrupt the prevailing political narrative ...
and challenge partisans of all political stripes," www.watchdog.org/aboutl, even a casual search of
its website's search engine with "Paxton" keyed in readily reveals a treasure trove of stories that have
two major plot points in common. First, they are all penned by Jon Cassidy; second, they are all
designed to spread The Word to the faithful that Paxton is the victim of a political hit job
orchestrated by the Special Prosecutors, three criminal defense lawyers from Houston appointed and
paid in a sub silentio sweetheart deal, aided and abetted by Paxton's political foes, primarily State
Representative Byron Cook and Speaker of the House, Joe Strauss.
74. Jeffers, "Conservative group gets Ken Paxton's campaign $1 million loan,"
www.dallasnews.com .. May 20,2014.
75. Jd.
28
the two victims in this case, as well as the Special Prosecutors. WBAP,
which bills itself as the most powerful radio station in Texas, broadcasts
enabling it to be heard not only in the Dallas- Fort Worth Metroplex, but
throughout north and central Texas, as far away as Austin and College
77. vvww.ratings.radio-oniinc.com.
78. Marrou was an news anchor at KENS-TV, the CBS affiliate in San Antonio. Marrou "was easily
San Antonio's biggest anchor star - you might even call him legendary. He presided over KENS'
news for 36 years and was known for high ratings ... " Jeanne JakIe, "Where are they now? Catching
up with S.A.'s ex-news stars," www.mvsanantonio.com . January 29,2014.
29
still pressing to convict him of defra uding investors.
(emphasis added).
(emphasis added).
30
It does not take an expert in the fields of broadcast communications
or jury selection to see that these attack ads are designed to serve but one
purpose: to taint the potential jury pool in this proceeding, not only in
Collin County, but throughout North and Central Texas as well. That the
content of these attack ads violates the spirit and tenor of Rule 3.07, is at
once clear; that a link, whether direct or indirect exists between Team
plain.
suit against Unity Resources, L.L.C., Mark Mersman, Mark Solomon, Jr.,
Trade Rare, L.L.C., Byron Cook and Joel Hochberg in the 417th District
business associate who is accusing a Cook company of ripping him off for
79. Calco Land Developlnent, L.L.C v. Unity Resources, L.L.C, et ai., cause no. 417-04885-2016.
80. Cassidy, Texas Rep. Byron Cook sued over fraud claim," www.watchdog.or&,. November 21,
2016.
31
opined that the lawsuit accuses Cook of "securities fraud ... ironically, the
same accusation that Cook made against [Paxton] ... however, unlike the
swindle."sl
day versions of Bernie Madoff in the minds of the Collin County jury pool
[T]his lawsuit has very little to do with the facts of this case,
and everything to do with an effort to smear and tarnish the
good name of Byron Cook and Joel Hochberg. Why is that?
Because Cook and Hochberg are key witnesses in the
upcoming criminal trial against Attorney General Ken Paxton
... in Collin County. Due to the close ties of the principal of
Plaintiff in this case, Charles ("Chip") A. Loper ... to Paxton, it
would appear this case is nothing more than a vehicle to smear
Cook and Hochberg to taint the Collin County jury pool for the
upcoming trial of Paxton for securities fra ud ... , and an
attempt to get discovery from witnesses for which Paxton
cannot compel discovery in the criminal case. S2
81. Jd.
82. Calco Land Development, L.L.C v. Unity Resources, L.L.C, et ai, ANSWER 1-2 (emphasis
added)(footnotes omitted); see also Patrick Svitek, www.texastribune.org, "In SEC case, Paxton
lawyers zero in on Byron Cook," December 14, 2016.
32
To those, including but not limited to Team Paxton, who might think
Loper is the trustee for Paxton's blind trust that was established to
hold Paxton's assets and investments when he took office. 83
It was Paxton (along with another individual) who made the initial
introduction between Loper and Unity.8G
Paxton was a member in, and manager for, Unity at the time of the
transaction at issue, provided legal services to Unity, and did not
resign as a manager of Unity until August 22, 2014. 87
85. !d.
86.Id.
87.Id. 2-3. Accordingly, the defendants have moved to have Paxton "designated as a responsible
third party" under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Calco Land
Development, L.L.C v. Unity Resources, L.L.C, et aI, DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DESIGNATE
RESPONSIBLE THIRD PARTY, 1-5.
33
The law firm that filed the lawsuit against Cook and Hochberg,
Scheef & Stone, is also co-counsel for Paxton in the pending SEC
action pending against him in federal court in the Eastern District
of Texas. 88
"The ties between Plaintiffs principal [Loper] and Paxton are both wide
and deep."9o But the anti-Cook and Hochberg wing of Team Paxton was
not done with its open and obvious ruse of trashing the victims of Paxton's
As part of its ongoing ethical duty under TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. Art.
39.14(a), the Michael Morton Act, the State was obligated to turn over to
88. Id. at 3.
90.Id.
34
and witness statements, including two audio-taped interviews conducted
by Texas Ranger Stacy McNeal, with, among others, Byron Cook and Joel
Michael Morton Act, this Court ordered the parties, and the parties have
ofWatchdog.org, and one of Team Paxton's most vocal and reliable flacks,
Based on Ranger McNeal's report, "It becomes clear why the SEC D1
doesn't have any other witnesses it can turn to."
"What [Cook and Hochberg] told the Rangers ... contradicts the
SEC's new line of attack."
"In July [2015], two well-paid special prosecutors and ajudge D2 who
later recused himself got Paxton indictedD3 on state criminal
91. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed securities fraud civil charges against Paxton on
April 11,2016 for allegedly recruiting investors for Servergy while hiding the fact that he was being
compensated to promote the company's stock. While a federal judge overseeing the case dismissed
the SEC's complaint without prejudice on October 10,2016, the SEC refiled an amended complaint
against Paxton on October 21, 2016. That amended suit remains pending.
92. The Honorable Chris Oldner, former judge of the 416 th Judicial District Court of Collin County,
Texas. While Paxton loudly contended that Judge Oldner's alleged misconduct in assembling and
empaneling the grand jury that indicted Paxton vitiated the legitimacy of the latter's trio of
indictments, the en bane Dallas Court of Appeals did not linger long in rejecting his complaint. Ex
parte Pax/on, 493 S.W.3d at 297-301.
93. Cassidy's unsupported and unsupportable allegation betrays a stunning lack of knowledge about
the criminal justice system that anyone who squeaked through high school civics class would readily
recognize: trial judges and prosecutors do not indict defendants; grand jurors do. See TEX. CODE.
36
charges."
"Still, even with Cook and Hochberg, those special prosecutors are
going to have to earn the $1 million-plus they're making ... "94
who was responsible for leaking this highly sensitive, restricted, and
contacted the Special Prosecutors and admitted Cassidy was given Ranger
standing order and agreement of the parties that the discovery in these
matters would be conducted under the Michael Morton Act, as well as Art.
94. Cassidy has also accused the Special Prosecutors of "hoping for a $2 million payday." "Court
may be bending rules for Paxton prosecutors," www.watchdo0:.org., September 25,2015.
95. In reality, Dolcefino's forte is not so much investigation as it is opposition research, the art of
which, as he proudly refers to it on his website, of "digging up dirt." Dolcefino boasts on his web
site that he "knows how to dig ... and what to dig for. Wouldn't you want him on you side?"
vvww.dolccfino.com.
37
Paxton's office 9G that offense reports and related work product of law
are confidential and privileged and not subject to disclosure under TEX.
restricted, and confidential material to Cassidy could not have been more
Dolcefino knew full well that Cassidy was a Team Paxton partisan,
patron and most of all, propagandist who could be counted on to inflict the
96. See e.g., Attorney General Opinion No. 577523. This opinion, dated July 6, 2015, was in
response to the request of Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Ashley Fourt, who sought
Paxton's office's opinion on whether her office was obligated to release an autopsy report in a
pending criminal matter. Paxton concluded that this material could be withheld from public
disclosure pursuant to 552.108(a)(l). Paxton's office issues such boilerplate rulings on a weekly
basis.
97. "Information held by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor that deals with the detection,
investigation, or prosecution of crime is excepted from the requirements of [this section] if: release
of the information would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime ... "
38
Hochberg, the Special Prosecutors, and the Rangers.98 That Dolcefino
of trial, Team Paxton financial angel Tim Dunn did not hesitate to link
Cassidy's blog post to his Facebook page on December 21,2016. Dunn also
98. That Cassidy's anti-Cook, anti-Hochberg, anti-Rangers, and anti-Special Prosecutors screed has
been publicly disseminated in social media and beyond is perhaps best fortified by a Facebook post
from trusted Team Paxton lieutenant Michelle Smith. See n. 61, supra. In a December 20,2016,
Facebook post, Smith trumpeted Cassidy's blog post constructed on the Dolcefino's contumacious
conduct to her almost 1,900 followers and untold others as a "BREAKING NEWS ALERT! ... the
news scoop of the year ... [a] blockbuster news story [that] points the finger at State Rep. Byron
Cook as the culprit for the political persecution of [Paxton]. ... More chickens coming home to
roost." Smith invites her followers - who are only too happy to do so - to "share" this story with
all of their Facebook friends and Team Paxton faithful.
99. "Bad faith" is defined in Texas as a "conscious doing of a wrong for a dishonest, discriminatory,
or malicious purpose." Stites v. Gillum, 872 S.W.2d 786,795 (Tex.App.- Fort Worth 1994, writ
den'd). Simply put, Dolcefino's misconduct falls squarely within this definition.
100. In re Escareno, 297 S.W.3d 288, 292 (Tex.Crim.App. 2009)("The power to punish for
contempt of court when a party fails or refuses to obey a prior court order or decree is 'an inherent
power of a court and is an essential element of judicial independence and authority. "').
101. Ex parte Norton, 191 S.W.2d 713,714 (Tex. 1946)("Generally speaking, he whose conduct
tends to bring the authority and administration of the law into disrespect or disregard, interferes with
or prejudices parties or their witnesses during litigation, or otherwise tends to impede, embarrass,
or obstruct the court in discharge of its duties is guilty of contempt.").
39
directed the faithful to read an article by Empower Texans flack and
leaders end the corrupt travesty of the criminal justice system that is the
Less than 48 hours after the dismissal of his initial lawsuit against
to turn the potential jury pool against the Special Prosecutors had already
cost Collin County some $106,000 in attorneys fees and court costs/0 3 he
("TRO"), rehashing all of the patently frivolous allegations set out in his
102. In linking the faithful to McDonald's rant, Dunn uses the Paxton prosecution as an example of,
"If a DA hates you and lies to a grand jury to get you indicted, there is no legal remedy in judicial
[sic] appeal."
103. McGaughey, "Ken Paxton donor sues Collin County over prosecution's price tag ... again,"
Dallas Morning News, January 20,2017.
40
initial lawsuit. 104 Even a cursory review of this document reveals that the
surprise, this repackaging of the original script into a hollow excuse for a
sequel was not lost on Judge Greenberg; on January 27,2017, one week
after this tired tome was filed, Judge Greenberg denied Blackard's request
his personal attacks against Byron Cook on social media. In a recent blog
post on the Empower Texans web site, McDonald accused Cook of hiring
103 . .feffory Blackard v. Attorney Pro Tem Kent A. Schaffer, in his qfficial capacity, Attorney Pro
Tem Brian W Wice, in his official capacity, Attorney Pro Tem Nicole DeBorde, in her official
capacity, et aI, 380 th District Court, trial court no. 380-00320-20] 7 "PLAINTIFF'S VERIFIED FIRST
AMENDED ORIGINAL PETITION AND ApPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER," at 1. See
n. 4, supra.
104. On January 30, 2017, the Fifth Court of Appeals issued a stay in the proceedings, temporarily
precluding Collin County Commissioners Court from authorizing payment on the second round of
bills submitted by the Special Prosecutors. In re .feffory Blackard, No. 05-17-00093-CV.
41
others from having to give testimony that could be beneficial to Paxton in
days later, McDonald's Empower Texans blog post asked if Cook "will be
forced to plead the Fifth in order to protect himself in his own trial?" "Will
apparently out of fear that Cook will snare [sic] himself with his own
lies." Id.
As soon as the ink was dry on the January 30,2017 agenda of Collin
invitation to almost 100 of his Facebook friends urging them to JOIN US:
to "DEFEND KEN PAXTON & STOP BYRON COOK." Newman's entreaty was
joined by Team Paxton cheerleader Michelle Smith, who took the time to
once again trash Byron Cook. "Based on Byron Cook's lies," she railed,
"Collin County tax payers are having to pay what could be in the millions
for his witch hunt against General Paxton."106 Newman followed up with
a Facebook post on January 30, urging all "Collin and Tarrant County
106. Smith prayed that "each person tagged on this post will share this ... "
43
16. Team Paxton FiJJs the House at Commissioners Court
burst into applause when County Judge Keith Self noted that the Dallas
Court of Appeals had granted a temporary stay. lOS While those present no
the Special Prosecutors' second round of invoices, that did not keep a
dozen or more of them from demanding that this round of bills not be paid.
108. As Team Paxton member Suzanne Blackstone trumpeted on her Facebook page on January
30,2017, "The citizens packed the courtroom today! When Judge Self read the Court's order of
a 'stay' for payment, the audience erupted with applause!"
109. In galaxy far, far away, this might have passed as a compliment. Given the tenor and context
of Ms. Blackard's rejoinder, nothing could be further from the truth.
44
Jesus Christ would not want to see a man like General Paxton, who
had done no harm and no wrong, prosecuted and would certainly not
want to see the Special Prosecutors get paid. (J.D. Lee).
In the face of this temporary stay, Team Paxton could not help but
take a victory lap and doing what they do best: piling on. In a February
1, 2017 Facebook post, Team Paxton's Michelle Smith linked a blog post
Schaffer,l1O sharing it with almost one hundred of her Facebook friends. 111
110. "Paxton Prosecutor Disqualified from Motorcycle Gang Case." Predictably, Smith vilifies and
demonizes Schaffer for defending the Bandidos - "This is the kind of man Judge Scott Becker
picked to use Collin County tax money to go after a [sic] innocent man and his beautiful family."
Equally predictable is her penchant for relying on alternative facts. While Schaffer was disqualified,
it was not, as Smith avowed, because he was "an unindicted coconspirator in the Bandidos
organization." As the Magistrate Judge found, because two of his former clients were cooperating
45
While taking aim at Schaffer, she also delivered another rabbit punch at
Byron Cook, ranting that, "These political witch hunts MUST STOP!!!
Bryon [sic] Cook needs to be exposed for what he has done. Prayers
(emphasis in original).
taint the pool of prospective jurors was staged by Rick Santorum, one of
its veteran members, former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, and
with prosecutors, "the continued representation by Mr. Schaffer ... presents either an actual conflict
of interest, or a serious potential conflict of interest." Contreras, "Feds take out Bandidos lawyers,"
l.yyvw-,ch[Q!1.com, February 1,2017. This Court knows what Smith does not-that a lawyer has been
disqualified because of a conflict of interest does not mean that he or she has acted unethically.
111. This list included Paxton, his wife, several of the County Commissioners, and several of the
state legislators who conspired via text to "helping Ken" even while they "dared" this Comi to "hold
Collin County in contempt" for disobeying its lawful order, and doing what they could to de fund the
Special Prosecutors. See pp. 24-26, supra. Clearly, the exponential effect of Smith's post and the
number of her Facebook friends who shared it with their friends and so on is incalculable.
112. I;V,VV,i.voutube.com., "Rick Santorum Joins Team Paxton!" August 19,2013. A close friend
of Paxton who attended his investiture as a state senator, Santorum has long vented in the media that
this is "another political prosecution." Jeffers, "GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum says
indictment against Texas AG Ken Paxton politically motivated." www.dallasnews.com .. October
12,2015. Santorum is also good friends with Jeffory Blackard, as a review of the latter's Facebook
page reveals. See also Jones, "I was half wrong about Rick Santorum, www.dallasnews.com ..
February 10, 2012 ("Impressed, Blackard decided to bring Santorum to the Dallas area and open
46
reporter J.D. Miles broadcast on KTVT-TV, the CBS affiliate in the
Dallas- Fort Worth area, Santorum achieved a rare triple double, trashing
Messrs. Schaffer and Cook, and this Court. Santorum described this case
called for the prosecution against Paxton to be dropped.,,113 And that was
Prefacing his screed with his ironic disclaimer that "you can't make
this stuff up," Santorum nevertheless went on to "make ... stuff up" by:
accusing Cook of being a member of the "cabal" that has handed over
control of the Texas Legislature to Democrats and other members of
the Republican Party. 114
repeatedly labeling Cook as someone who has been sued for fraud
and has "changed his story" about Paxton. 115
accusing this Court of not merely "breaking the law" but "raping the
taxpayers [of Collin County]" by enforcing its lawful orders to fund
doors for him here."). In an October 16, 2012 e-mail the State will produce, Paxton aide Ben
Williams invited Bill Mapp, former Servergy honcho, to a Paxton fundraiser featuring Santorum.
113. J.D. Miles, reporter for Dallas CBS affiliate KTVT, quoting Rick Santorum, "Fonner U.S.
Senator Calls For Case Against Texas AG To Be Dropped," wWJ:Y:..di~,y.cbslpcaL~om, February 4,
2017.
114. !d.
115. ld.
47
the Special Prosecutors. llG
time out of their day to speak out at Commissioners Court against paying
latest chapter in their almost two-year long public relations blitz to taint
the Collin County jury pool by poisoning it against the State, its victims,
and even this Court.118 This coordinated, sustained, and knowingly false
narrative put forth by Team Paxton persists to this very day, and, as set
116. !d.
117. Jd. As set out above, the only reason Santorum, or any other member of Team Paxton, would
continue to make this baseless allegation, one that was not sustained by the federal magistrate judge,
is to assassinate Mr. Schaffer's character and to paint him, albeit without foundation, as the ultimate
unethical and unscrupulous criminal lawyer and all-around bad guy in the hearts and minds of Collin
County jurors.
118. Team Paxton's ongoing efforts at defaming and deprecating this Court to taint the jury pool
is itself a compelling basis for changing venue on this Court's own motion. It is precisely because
"under any system of jury trials the influence ofthe trial judge on the jury is necessarily and properly
of great weight...," Starr v. United States, 153 U.S. 614,626 (1894), that potential jurors will be
open, honest, and forthcoming with the Court whom they view as the ultimate unbiased authority
figure - about their ability to be fair and impartial in this case. But Team Paxton's ploy in painting
this Court as a "law-breaking" figure "raping the taxpayers" and enforcing its "unlawful orders" with
the "judicial tyranny" of threatening to lock up the members of Commissioners Court has reduced
it to just another cast member in this "miscarriage of justice," irreparably damaging this Court's
ability to preside over jury selection, certainly in Collin County, and probably the Dallas Metroplex.
48
out below, compels this Court, as a matter of law, to order a change venue
This Court's ruling changing venue on the State's motion or its own
wrong as to lie outside the zone within which reasonable persons might
Antonio 1995, pet. dism'd). This Court does not abuse its discretion just
because an appellate court would have decided this issue differently. See
1985)("The mere fact that a trial judge may decide a matter within his
has occurred."). This Court's ruling changing venue on motion of the State
San Antonio 2010, pet refd). Viewed through this deferential lens,
that the very people who elected him or her could not be trusted to give
the case at bar; indeed, just the opposite is true. The defendant is an
exceedingly popular local hero, with an electoral record of 15-0 and almost
50
men from Houston who are literally at war with the taxpayers of Collin
County, who have not elected them to any post, office, or position.
But one of the few cases interpreting art. 31.02, Garza v. State, 974
S.W.2d 251 (Tex.App.- San Antonio 1998, pet. ref'd), is perhaps the most
instructive. In Garza, the trial court granted the State's motion to change
venue without notice or a hearing and where the State adduced no proof
in support of its motion. The court of appeals affirmed, holding that the
home county, and, moreover, has no tactical interest in being tried in his
259-260 (emphasis added). On the record before this Court, the holding in
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. Art. 31.01 120 provides that the Court, on its
own motion, and after notice and a hearing, may order venue changed to
51
impartial trial cannot be had from any cause in the county in which the
case is pending. The body of case law affording this Court with the
inherent discretion to change venue on its own motion makes its task in
doing so clear, and the conclusion that its ruling would not be disturbed
the criminal justice system that this Court is not free to change venue on
its own motion unless and until it has attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to
rejected this urban and legal legend in Allen v. State, 488 S.W.2d 460,461
venue on its own motion). Indeed, the Court of Criminal Appeals has
repeatedly stated that, where the trial court changes venue on his own
Finally, the Court of Criminal Appeals has long held that Art. 31.01 vests
its own motion, provided it complies with this article. See e.g., Spriggs v.
State) 289 S.W.2d at 273 (upholding trial court's decision to change venue
a fair trial could be had in the county where the prosecution was begun.");
the venue of any case ... when he has satisfied himself that a trial, alike
fair and impartial to the state or the accused, cannot be held in the
court rejected the claims that "a defendant should have the prerogative to
make tactical decisions as to where he wants the case tried" and before a
evidence that both the State and defendant will not receive a fair trial."
In Brimage v. State, 918 S.W.2d at 508, the court held that Art. 31.01 does
53
not require this Court to offer evidence in support of its own motion but
Court states in its order the grounds for its decision, no abuse of discretion
will be shown, and its decision will not be disturbed on appeal. Id.
was the Scott County Sheriff, who was charged with running a scheme
that overcharged lawyers under a state law that compensated deputies for
mileage they put on their personal vehicles. The State moved for a change
of venue , which the trial court granted. The Iowa Supreme Court held the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting the State's motion for
In the fourteen months the case was pending, there was "both a
'deluge' and an 'incessant bombardment of pretrial media publicity"
which the trial court concluded "created excitement and prejudice"
54
in Scott County."
Id. at 244-47. The reasoning and analysis in Paulsen applies with equal
force here. Unlike Paulsen, whose popularity and home field advantage
has won fifteen elections, almost all of the contested ones by a super-
starting the State in a position "less than even" with him as in Paulsen.
In State v. Sproul, 544 A.2d 743, 744-45 (Me. 1988), the defendant
of two counts of ballot tampering. The trial court changed venue from
pretrial publicity this matter has received." Id. The Supreme Judicial
Court of Maine held the trial court's ruling was not an abuse of discretion
public official and heavy pretrial publicity would unnecessarily burden the
Court can similarly presume that Paxton's status as a public official and
55
heavy pretrial publicity will unnecessarily burden jury selection in Collin
In State v. Poole, 489 N.W.2d 537, 540-41 (Minn. App. 1992), affd,
499 N.W.2d 31 (Minn. 1993), the defendant was charged with 17 counts
of sexual assault in Traverse County, but the trial court changed venue on
its own motion to Chippewa County. The court of appeals concluded the
trial court did not abuse its discretion changing venue sua sponte because
it correctly concluded that "news articles, letters to the editor and public
basis for the trial court's change of venue on its own motion in Poole, the
record before this Court as recounted in exquisite detail above, one wholly
without equal in the annals of Texas criminal justice, makes this Court's
Conclusion
obtain either justice or fairness for its victims on behalf of the 28-million
to grant the State's motion to change venue from Collin County, or in the
comes as no surprise that Paxton will vociferously argue that the State
and the victims of Paxton's alleged criminality can get a fair trial in Collin
County. At the end of the day, controlling case law and the underlying
The State of Texas prays that this Court grant its motion to change
121. THE SUN ALSO RISES, 247 (Macmillan Publ'g Co. 1987)(1926).
57
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN W. WICE
440 Louisiana Suite 900
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 524-9922 PHONE
(713) 236-7768 FAX
Bar No. 21417800
KENT A. SCHAFFER
712 Main Suite 2400
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 228-8500 PHONE
(713) 228-0034 FAX
Bar No.1 7724300
NICOLE DeBORDE
712 Main Suite 2400
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 228-8500 PHONE
(713) 228-0034 FAX
Bar No. 00787344
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
BRIAN W. WICE
58
NO. 416-81913-2015
NO. 416-82148-2015
NO. 416-82149-2015
ORDER
GRANTED
DENIED
GEORGE GALLAGHER
ASSIGNED JUDGE
416 TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS
59