Key Aides of AG Ken Paxton ousted Amid Sexual Harassment Claims, Lawsuit Reveals

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In 2023, two high-ranking officials from the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton resigned following accusations of harassment, as indicated by court documents that were part of a lawsuit filed on Tuesday.

Judd Stone, who previously served as solicitor general, along with Chris Hilton, an assistant attorney general, faced legal action initiated by Jordan Eskew, another ex-employee of the attorney general’s office, in federal court. According to the lawsuit, Eskew claims she endured sexual harassment at the hands of Stone and experienced verbal abuse from Hilton, who also failed to intervene when confronted with Stone’s improper remarks. These incidents occurred while they were all on leave from their state roles to contribute to Paxton’s defense team for his 2023 impeachment proceedings.

According to state law, the OAG and management must promptly act to halt sexual harassment," wrote Brent Webster, the First Assistant Attorney General, in an email to another agency staff member in December 2024. This message was part of the court case documentation. "Judd and Chris would be informed that termination would follow unless they chose to resign.

Stone and Hilton, via a spokesperson, mentioned they chose to leave the attorney general’s office willingly as Webster was described as a "small-minded despot."

“A personal grudge drives Brent Webster’s actions against Mr. Hilton and Mr. Stone,” stated a representative from their law firm, Stone Hilton. “He initiated this lawsuit which is entirely fabricated.”

In 2022, the attorney general’s office verified their departures; however, they did not provide reasons for these resignations.

The lawsuit accuses Stone of sharing graphic rape fantasies with Eskew. It further contends that Stone frequently insulted her, referring to her as "white trash" at one point, and in another incident, allegedly screamed at Eskew about a spreadsheet. According to the complaint, Hilton was present during numerous such encounters but did not attempt to stop them.

In 2021, Stone became part of the attorney general’s office where they were tasked with representing the state of Texas in various courts, even reaching up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hired back in 2016, Hilton headed the general litigation division.

Following Paxton's acquittal by the Senate in September 2023, Stone, Hilton, Eskew, and other staff members who had taken time off to support him came back to work at the attorney general’s office.

Based on the email from Webster that Eskew's attorney included in the legal papers, two female employees who were working alongside Stone and Hilton during the impeachment process in October came forward with "credibility-enhancing reports" regarding alleged sexual misconduct.

Webster stated that he informed Paxton, who expressed being "shocked and appalled" upon hearing the accusations and committed to taking swift measures. According to Webster’s account, agency personnel addressed Stone regarding his conduct, after which Stone “readily acknowledged that every allegation was accurate."

Webster stated that no additional investigation was needed because Stone had admitted to the conduct he was charged with. He also mentioned that the organization’s human resources personnel indicated it was standard practice to permit employees accused of misconduct to step down voluntarily instead of being fired.

On October 17, 2023, Stone and Hilton stepped down from their positions. Their short resignation notes did not provide any explanation for leaving.

"It has truly been an honor to serve the people of Texas," Stone penned.

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