Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday filed two lawsuits escalating the state’s response to a Democratic walkout that has stalled the state Legislature by accusing former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of providing illegal support to absent lawmakers and seeking to remove 13 Texas House Democrats from office.

One lawsuit, filed in Tarrant County district court, accuses O’Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, of misleading donors by claiming contributions would be used for political purposes, when instead the money paid for what Paxton called “lavish personal expenditures” — private jets, luxury hotels and fine dining — for absent lawmakers during the special session.

Paxton also claims O’Rourke promised to cover fines, travel and lodging for Democrats if they broke quorum. Pa

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