Texas House Investigative Committee issues four subpoenas, days after allegations against Bryan Slaton emerge

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The Texas House Committee on General Investigating issued four subpoenas on Friday, though it did not specify to whom or for what purpose.

It was the first meeting of the committee this legislative session, which is investigating wrongdoing in government, including potential member misconduct, since its inaugural housekeeping meeting in early March.

Since then, two House members have faced ethical issues, both related to their treatment of staff.

[Two GOP Texas House members call for Rep. Bryan Slaton to resign]

The House Committee on General Investigations, along with its counterpart in the Senate, has the power to investigate state agencies, departments, and officials. Committees also have the ability to draft articles of impeachment against legislators.

This week, the Texas Tribune reported that a legislative staffer filed a complaint with the Investigative Committee earlier this month alleging Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, had a potentially inappropriate relationship with an intern. .

The lawsuit says Slaton invited the intern to his Austin apartment after 10 p.m. on March 31. A source with direct knowledge of the incident told the Tribune that Slaton drank alcohol with the woman, who was under 21.

Slaton did not respond to those allegations, but a criminal defense attorney he hired criticized the outrageous claims circulating online without further details.

Slaton and his attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday on the subpoenas.

Earlier this month, three employees of Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, quit in late March, citing an abusive and hostile work environment.

In a letter, the trio said Jones assigned them non-state business duties, routinely forced them to work after hours, and often threatened to fire employees. They also alleged that Jones failed to intervene in what they said was an inappropriate relationship between an office intern and the lawmaker’s son.

The former employees also filed a complaint with the House Investigative Committee.

Jones said in a statement in March that working in the Legislative Assembly is stressful and difficult, and some of my staff have decided the job isn’t for them.

She also blamed her former employees for publishing the name of the intern, who had previously been sexually assaulted. Jones added that the allegations against her son were false.

Jones’ spokesperson declined to comment when asked if the lawmaker had received a subpoena.

House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said his office would investigate the allegations involving Jones and Slaton.

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