Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a bombshell lawsuit against failed Democrat politician Beto O’Rourke and his activist group Powered by People, accusing them of running an unlawful, deceptive fundraising operation designed to bankroll Texas House Democrats who fled the state to break quorum, all while pocketing donations for personal luxuries.
“I sued Robert Francis O’Rourke for “Beto Bribes” to Democrat runaways to impede the Texas Legislature,” Ken Paxton wrote on X.
“I will not allow failed political has-beens to buy off Texas elected officials. I’ll see you in court, Beto.”
BREAKING: I sued Robert Francis O’Rourke for “Beto Bribes” to Democrat runaways to impede the Texas Legislature.
I will not allow failed political has-beens to buy off Texas elected officials. I’ll see you in court, Beto. pic.twitter.com/hPvSZwwdfV
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 8, 2025
According to the 43-page filing, Paxton says O’Rourke orchestrated a scheme to buy off runaway Democrats with promises of cash, travel, and hotel accommodations if they abandoned their constitutional duties during a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott.
The lawsuit claims that O’Rourke and PBP’s scheme — funneled through ActBlue — not only violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act but also amounted to felony bribery under state law. By offering to cover runaway lawmakers’ travel, lodging, and even fines imposed for skipping legislative duties, Paxton argues, O’Rourke was effectively paying them to violate the Texas Constitution.
“Democrat runaways are likely accepting Beto Bribes to underwrite their jet-setting sideshow in far-flung places and misleadingly raising political funds to pay for personal expenses,” said Attorney General Paxton.
“This out-of-state, cowardly cabal is abandoning their constitutional duties. I will not allow failed political has-beens to buy off Texas elected officials. I’ll see you in court, Beto.”
The State is seeking over $1 million in monetary relief, civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and an emergency restraining order to halt all fundraising tied to these activities.
Paxton is also asking the court to freeze PBP’s Texas-based assets and bar O’Rourke from using political donations for any personal expenses of the absentee Democrats.
The filing alleges that Beto and his crew have raked in “tens of thousands” of donations while holding rallies across the country, including one scheduled for Fort Worth, under the guise of “fighting redistricting” and “supporting brave Texas Democrats.”
Paxton’s office says the real purpose is to fund an out-of-state, cowardly cabal intent on derailing the legislature’s work on property tax relief, flood recovery, school reforms, and constitutional redistricting.
Read the filing below:
