Lawyer Opposed Unsealing Paxton Deposition Transcripts
A motion filed in Collin County court seeks to keep Ken Paxton's past deposition records private.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Law
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Attorney Mitch Little has filed a motion opposing the unsealing of Ken Paxton's deposition transcripts. The records, stemming from earlier litigation, were the subject of a public access request filed by the campaign of James Talarico in August.
Why it matters
The Talarico campaign contends that the public possesses a right to access judicial proceedings, particularly those concerning the fitness of a public official. Conversely, the defense argues that the records were never classified as public court filings.
The filing challenges the court's jurisdiction over the request, asserting the depositions remain private records. The underlying civil lawsuit involving Charles Loper was settled in 2023 following years of litigation.
The players
Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton is the Attorney General of Texas who has faced various civil and criminal legal challenges.
Mitch Little
Mitch Little is a lawyer who serves as legal counsel in the current motion regarding deposition records.
James Talarico
James Talarico is a member of the Texas House of Representatives who has sought access to these legal records.
Charles Loper
Charles Loper was a party in the underlying civil lawsuit that settled in 2023.
The details
Mitch Little, representing Paxton, argues the court lacks the legal authority to grant the Talarico campaign's request to unseal the materials. The depositions were conducted during civil litigation that concluded with a settlement last year, distinct from the criminal securities fraud charges against Paxton that were dropped in 2024.
Timeline
Ken Paxton was indicted for securities fraud in 2015.
Paxton sat for depositions in 2019 and 2022.
The underlying civil case was settled in 2023.
The Talarico campaign requested the court to unseal depositions in August.
Mitch Little filed an opposition response on September 21, 2026.
Political Context
The dispute centers on the Texas Public Information Act, which regulates transparency requirements for government records. This case tests the legal boundaries of whether documents generated during civil litigation involving state officials remain private after a settlement.
The resolution of this motion will determine the extent of public access to information regarding the conduct of elected officials. Residents should monitor the court's upcoming rulings to see if these records are released to the public domain.
The takeaway
The court's upcoming decision on the unsealing motion will clarify the privacy standards for documents linked to settled civil litigation involving public servants. This case underscores the ongoing tension between private legal strategy and public oversight of state officials.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings and transparency in the state, visit the Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Texas Tribune.
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