Ken Paxton Faces Scrutiny Over D.C. Hotel Bookings Tied to Donors

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is facing renewed scrutiny following reports that taxpayer-funded hotel rooms tied to his office were used in connection with campaign donors and international associates during President Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Records released by the Office of the Attorney General detail a block of hotel reservations initially booked for official use. Documents show that several individuals outside the agency, including potential donors and foreign business figures, were listed in connection with the room block.

Among those identified were donors Terry and Jennifer Lacore, as well as Albanian businessman Bashkim Ulaj and politician Fatmir Mediu.

According to an internal report, some rooms were reassigned to private individuals after OAG staff were unable to travel due to the weather. The report states the intent was to transfer financial responsibility away from the state. However, investigators found that at least some charges were initially billed to the state before being reimbursed months later.

The controversy has coincided with the sudden resignations of two senior OAG officials, Chief of Staff Lesley French Henneke and Chief Financial Officer Michelle Price, amid an internal review of hotel arrangements.

An audit into the matter was initiated earlier this year by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, following concerns about how the reservations were handled.

While the OAG has indicated that the state was ultimately reimbursed for hotel costs, its internal report acknowledged that "errors and mistakes related to hotel bookings... created a serious appearance of impropriety."

Although no final determination of wrongdoing has been announced, the situation adds to ongoing political and legal pressures surrounding Paxton, with questions lingering over internal management practices and the use of public resources.