Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico revealed during a Thursday press conference that the Texas Attorney General’s Office denied his request for files related to a Waco man who served just 29 days in jail on charges that he sexually abused a child.
The announcement comes nearly a month after Talarico — an Austin-area state rep — called on Attorney General Ken Paxton, his Republican rival in the Senate race, to release details about what Talarico called an “Epstein-style sweetheart deal” between the AG’s office and former Waco attorney Adam Hoffman, the man charged in that case.
“We are here at corruption HQ, which is the Office of Attorney General Ken Paxton, where, behind closed doors, a sweetheart deal was given to a well-connected lawyer who abused an 8-year-old boy,” Talarico said during a downtown Austin press conference.
Hoffman was charged with repeatedly sexually abusing the youth and initially faced up to life in prison without parole. However, he pleaded guilty in April to reduced misdemeanor charges.
In a deal with Paxton’s office, Hoffman was sentenced to 60 days in the McLennan County Jail and would be required to surrender his law license. Hoffman was released early for good behavior after serving just 29 days. Additionally, he wasn’t required to register as a sex offender in Texas.
“We don’t need any more pedophile protectors in our government,” Talarico said. “I think most Texans regardless of their political affiliations are tired of seeing crimes against children covered up by powerful politicians.”
Talarico called the AG office’s denial of his request for the case files “suspicious,” noting that the office is “making excuses” which should alarm Texans, regardless of their political affiliation.
“If there’s nothing to hide, then the Attorney General should feel comfortable releasing this information,” Talarico said. “ I think it’s suspicious when we request this information and it’s denied. Especially on a case where so many Texans have legitimate concerns, legitimate questions.”
Despite the AG office’s response, Talarico said he plans to push back, adding that he will seek answers for the victim, the victim’s family and Texans across the state.
“I think raising that for Texans so that they know that the AG is hiding this information, that’s key,” the Senate hopeful said. “My hope is that we can build enough bipartisan support that can pressure the AG to do the right thing and release all information about this case, so we can get our questions answered and then we can talk about some other issues that are of importance to Texans.”
Talarico’s press conference comes after reports show his team scored a major haul. Over the quarter ended in June, his campaign has raised $30 million — triple Paxton’s $9 million haul for the same period.
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