TexasCHLforum.com

It is difficult to comprehend that the chief prosecutor for the state would not know the securities laws and choose to violate them.

Not really. The law encompasses many complex areas. No one can know it all, and securities law is among the more complex. That said, I long ago learned that securities law is one of the few areas where a lawyer documenting a deal can go to jail. I always took it very seriously when I ventured into the area. But Paxton may not have known much and may not have wanted to know, because the money was nice. He's surely entitled to a trial, but from what I've read, it looks bad for him.

Undisclosed commissions are a huge no-no under securities law. If he took them, then he deserves to be in big trouble.

If I were on the jury, I would be highly skeptical of the argument that the alleged commissions were really a gift. People don't gives gifts like that in connection with business transactions. My <malarkey> meter would red line.