This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Everything is bigger in Texas. Including the length of time between when a state attorney general is accused of criminal activity and when he quits.

In Utah, from call for Attorney General John Swallow to resign to the actual deed, about 11 months. The actual criminal charges came afterward.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has been dogged by legal scandals since before he was elected in 2014. He was indicted last summer, and charged again Monday. He's been in office for 16 months now, with calls for him to resign getting serious last August. No politicians are calling for him to go, though, and he just keeps on going.

I guess the press there just isn't as powerful?

Here:

Swallow should go — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial, Jan. 14, 2013

"Not even a full week after he was sworn in as Utah's new attorney general, John Swallow was hit by stunning allegations from a man who is facing federal fraud charges, who claims that, while on the state payroll, Swallow helped him cook up an attempt to bribe a United States senator. ...

" ... A federal investigation was so imminent that, on Monday, Swallow himself asked for one.

"Instead, Swallow should resign. ..."

New A.G. Swallow should step down — Provo Daily Herald Editorial, Jan. 13, 2013

" ... The allegations against Swallow have sufficient legs, even now before every detail has been uncovered, to justify his immediate resignation. His reputation is now seriously tainted, and that is an impossible thing to overcome for an attorney general. ..."

Swallow resigns, proclaiming innocence: 'Time for the madness to stop.' — Robert Gehrke | The Salt Lake Tribune, Nov. 22, 2013

" ... Attorney General John Swallow was defiant as he stood before reporters, taking swipes at what he called politically motivated attacks that had exacted an unsustainable personal and financial toll on himself and his family. ..."

The latest:

Swallow says prosecutors violated his attorney-client privilege; he seeks dismissal — Jennifer Dobner | The Salt Lake Tribune, April 12, 2016

There:

"Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton surrendered at the Collin County Jail Monday morning on three felony indictments. ...

" ... Paxton faces three criminal charges – two first-degree felonies for securities fraud and a third-degree felony for failing to register with the state to sell securities.

"Paxton is accused of having defrauded two individuals of more than $100,000. He doesn't have to resign while he fights the charges. ..."

If indicted Paxton doesn't resign, he should at least hand off duties — Dallas Morning News Editorial, Aug. 3, 2015

" ...Paxton deserves the same presumption of innocence as any other citizen, even if he already has admitted the 2012 violation of state securities law that undergirds one of the three charges. The far more serious two additional charges, of failing to disclose to clients that he was making a commission off their investments, adds significant heft to the case. Prison time is possible.

"It's against this backdrop that we urge Paxton to put the integrity of his office first. The state's top law enforcement officer is required to defend the laws and state Constitution. He now stands charged as a violator of the very laws he's sworn to uphold. ..."

The voters are victims, perps in Paxton case — Corpus Christi Caller-Times Editorial, Aug. 5, 2015

" ... The conclusion that Paxton should resign is so thoroughly inescapable that saying it feels silly. Unfortunately, it's just one of a growing mountain of inescapable conclusions that escape Paxton and the people who elected him in a landslide. ..."

Paxton should step down — Houston Chronicle Editorial, Jan. 20, 2016

"Texans deserve an attorney general who can focus on his duties without fear of prison. ..."

— Embattled Ken Paxton should step down as Texas attorney general — Austin Statesman-American Editorial, Aug. 8, 2015

Paxton should resign from office — Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle Editorial, Aug. 6, 2015

The latest:

Texas attorney general charged with federal securities fraud — AP | Salt Lake Tribune, April 11, 2016

" ... Paxton, who has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of securities fraud handed up by a Texas grand jury last summer, has said he won't step down and has faced no public pressure from state leaders to do so. But questions about his private financial dealings have made for a tumultuous first 16 months on the job. ..."