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Austin, Texas • Special prosecutors appointed to put Texas' attorney general on trial are threatening to quit if they don't get paid.
Republican Ken Paxton was back in a suburban Dallas courtroom Wednesday. He's charged with felony securities fraud over allegations of duping wealthy investors in a tech startup before becoming Texas' top prosecutor.
He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, Paxton faces 5 to 99 years in prison.
The trial is set to begin in May. But two appointed special prosecutors say they're owed more than $200,000 and shouldn't have to work for free. A judge has tied up their invoices after a Paxton supporter filed a lawsuit claiming the case is costing taxpayers too much money.
Legal experts say they've never seen a case jeopardized like this.