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Talarico Calls on Paxton to Release Documents on Plea Deal for Sex Abuse Case

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Talarico Demands Paxton Release Communications on Controversial Plea Deal

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico held a press conference on Thursday at the McLennan County Courthouse in Waco, calling on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to release communications regarding a plea deal offered by Paxton's office to Adam Dean Hoffman, a 49-year-old man charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a young boy.

Key Details of the Case

  • The plea deal required Hoffman to serve 30 days in jail, admit to the abuse, and surrender his law license, but did not require him to register as a sex offender.
  • The case gained attention after the Texas Tribune, The Texas Newsroom, and KWBU reported that a previous deal allowing one day in jail had been rejected by visiting judge Roy Sparkman.
  • According to the reporting, prosecutors offered the deal after the victim refused to testify in a second trial, leaving them with limited options.
  • Talarico requested all text messages, emails, documents, and internal memos related to the case.

Statements from Key Figures

"If there’s anything that all Texans can agree on ... it’s that no one, not even the attorney general of Texas, should be able to cover up crimes against children."
— James Talarico

"Every time James Talarico chooses to bring this case up he is intentionally re-traumatizing the child victim for personal gain."
— Madison Cercy, Paxton campaign spokesperson

Assistant Attorneys General Brenda Cantu and Dorian Cotlar wrote that the decision "was made entirely in the best interest of the child involved."

Defense attorney Gerry Morris stated he had never met or communicated with Paxton about the case, and said the suggestion of special treatment was false.

Background: Ties to Nate Paul and Impeachment Allegations

Talarico linked the deal to Paxton's relationship with Nate Paul, a friend and donor, noting that Hoffman's attorney also represented Paul. Paxton faced impeachment allegations related to Paul.

Senator John Cornyn had criticized Paxton over the case during the Republican primary runoff, but Paxton won by nearly 28 points.