April 29, 2016 4:33 PM

State Auditor is asked to look into paid leave practices in Paxton's office

“It’s important that Texans are confident that no elected official is abusing or misusing taxpayer dollars, especially to advance the work of a political campaign.”

The State Auditor has been asked to investigate the use of paid leave in Attorney General Ken Paxton's office after it was first reported by the Dallas Morning News that some top staffers were still on the state payroll even after resigning.

One of those staffers, former First Assistant Chip Roy, was still receiving his state salary even after saying he had quit his job and went to work on behalf of efforts to help elect his old boss Sen. Ted Cruz to the White House.

“Paid leave policies are great, but it looks like Paxton violated state law," said Lucy Stein with Progress Texas, the liberal group that formally asked the Auditor's office to get involved.

“The facts clearly warrant a State Auditor’s Office investigation, particularly since Paxton’s justification for dolling out 64 days of paid leave to two ex-employees has changed multiple times,” Stein said.

“It’s important that Texans are confident that no elected official is abusing or misusing taxpayer dollars, especially to advance the work of a political campaign.”

Their letter to the Auditor’s office is here.