ROYSE CITY (TX)
Dallas Morning News [Dallas TX]
April 10, 2023
By Lauren McGaughy
Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, retained a criminal defense attorney in Rockwall in advance of possible investigation.
North Texas lawmaker Bryan Slaton hired a criminal defense attorney to defend him in case he is investigated by a House ethics panel, the attorney said in a statement.
Rockwall attorney Patrick Short said Monday that the Royse City Republican retained him regarding “a possible complaint filed against him with the Texas House Committee on General Investigating.” The Texas Tribune first reported that Slaton has retained a lawyer.
Short’s statement did not detail what the complaint might include, but did make an indirect reference to a post on a conservative website that accused Slaton of infidelity.
“We are aware of outrageous claims circulating online by second-tier media that make false claims against Representative Slaton,” Short said. “As a result, he has been advised to forward all inquiries in this matter — including any that may relate to a possible complaint — to his legal counsel.”
Slaton and his office did not return calls last week about the allegations.
The general investigating committee is made up of five lawmakers who can look into complaints of misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, incompetency and workplace conduct. Its chairman, Andrew Murr, R-Junction, tweeted last week that his committee does not comment on investigations.
Rumors began circulating about Slaton after he was the only House lawmaker to miss debate on the state budget last week.
Considered one of the most far-right conservatives in the chamber, Slaton had planned to offer numerous amendments to the budget. He has filed legislation to make abortion a capital offense and has publicly worked against LGBTQ rights this session.
Slaton, who is married, is serving his second term representing Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties. He attended Ouachita Baptist University, the University of North Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a master’s of divinity with biblical languages.
Clarified on April 11, 2023 at 8:48 a.m.: A previous version of this story stated the general investigating committee looks into complaints of misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, incompetency and appropriate workplace conduct. This has been clarified that it looks into complaints of workplace conduct.