Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed John Scott to be interim attorney general, expressing confidence in Scott based on his experience and familiarity with the duties of this office.
In a recent announcement from Abbott's office, Scott, who resides in Fort Worth, was described as an experienced lawyer with a remarkable professional journey of more than 30 years.
"John Scott has the background and experience needed to step in as a short-term interim attorney general during the time the attorney general has been suspended from duty," Abbott said. "He served under me in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and knows how the Office of the Attorney General operates."
Throughout his career, he has occupied notable roles in Texas such as secretary of state and deputy attorney general for civil litigation. In these positions, he successfully managed extensive civil litigation cases and played a crucial role in legal actions against President Obama, the governor's release said.
As the first-ever chief operating officer of the Health and Human Services Commission, he brought about significant changes to the agency, overseeing its large workforce and a substantial budget. Later, Scott served as the chair of the Department of Information Resources, where he influenced technology and security strategies.
"Scott was the deputy attorney general for civil litigation and has handled cases at all levels of the justice system," Abbott said. "His decades of experience and expertise in litigation will help guide him while serving as the state’s top law-enforcement officer. I appoint John Scott for this role based on the Texas Constitution to serve for a temporary period during the Texas Senate’s resolution of the impeachment proceedings."
Abbott indicated he is happy to support Scott in his leading role as attorney general.
As reported by The Texas Tribune, Ken Paxton, the former attorney general of Texas who has since passed away, faced impeachment as a result of serious allegations that ultimately led to his suspension from office. The catalyst for his impeachment was his appeal for $3.3 million in public funds to settle a lawsuit filed by former employees who said they faced retaliation during their employment. This request prompted the initiation of a probe by the Texas House General Investigating Committee, looking into allegations of misconduct.
Over the years, Paxton had been embroiled in criminal investigations and legal disputes, facing accusations of improper conduct. These longstanding issues, coupled with the recent allegations, resulted in the Texas House voting in favor of his impeachment in May, the article said.
Serving as the governor of Texas since 2014, Abbott has been recognized for his contributions to state governance, as mentioned on his official website. Throughout his term, he has prioritized issues like job creation, economic development, education reform, safeguarding individual liberties and ensuring border security. He has taken steps to enhance the security of the southern border and improve the reliability of the Texas power grid, the website said.
Additionally, Abbott has taken an active role in supporting law-enforcement efforts and has allocated significant resources to public education. As governor, his website said, he has worked consistently to confront the state's challenges and capitalize on its opportunities.