Austin, TX
Nate Paul charged with 8 felony counts of making false statements to financial institutions
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Nate Paul, the Austin real estate investor central to allegations of illegal conduct by suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, has been charged with eight counts of making false statements to financial institutions.
Paul, 36, allegedly overstated his assets and understated his liabilities to fraudulently obtain loans, according to a 23-page indictment filed by federal prosecutors Friday.
The government is seeking $172 million in restitution from Paul.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Howell laid out the charges — which focus on actions Paul took in 2017 and 2018 to allegedly mislead mortgage lenders and credit unions — Friday morning to ensure Paul understood them.
Paxton was not mentioned in the indictment, nor was he discussed during a half-hour proceeding Friday in Austin’s federal courthouse, where Paul appeared shackled and wearing a blue button-down shirt, jeans and white Air Jordans. He answered Howell’s questions softly, simply stating, “Yes, Your Honor.”
Paul is due back in court June 15 for arraignment. He will be released today on conditions including that he surrender his passport and leave Texas only after notifying the court. His in-state travel will be unrestricted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Buie, who represented the government at the hearing and who specializes in white-collar crimes, said Paul should be allowed to continue to run his businesses.
One allegation against Paul has ties to impeachment
Paul’s lawyer, Gerry Morris, said outside the courtroom that the charges have nothing to do with Paxton, adding that he had “no idea” when Paul last spoke with the attorney general.
Paxton was suspended from office after he was impeached by the Texas House last month for allegedly misusing the power of his office to help Paul, among other allegations of misconduct.
“The charges against Paul evidently have nothing to do with Attorney General Ken Paxton. Nothing whatsoever,” Paxton’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, said in a statement. “That should speak volumes as to how weak this impeachment effort is.”
The Texas Tribune has established that Count 7 of the indictment refers to a $2.73 million loan that Amplify Credit Union extended to WC Alamo Industrial Center, owned by Paul, in 2018. The count alleges that Paul lied on financial records to obtain the loan.
Amplify has ties to the Paxton impeachment because it was among 39 businesses and individuals that received grand jury subpoenas to provide documents and information to Brandon Cammack, a Houston lawyer hired by the attorney general’s office — at Paxton’s insistence — to investigate on Paul’s behalf, according to a House committee examination that led to Paxton’s impeachment last month.
Paul had referred Cammack to Paxton for the job in 2020, the House investigators said.
Later, other attorney general officials asked a state district judge in Travis County to quash the subpoenas, saying they were improperly obtained because Cammack misrepresented himself as a special prosecutor for the attorney general’s office — he was not — and did not have the authority to appear before a grand jury or issue grand jury subpoenas, court records show.
According to a lawsuit by former officials in Paxton’s agency, Cammack had obtained the subpoenas “under false pretenses to investigate, harass, and intimidate Nate Paul’s perceived adversaries.”
Paxton’s involvement with Cammack was among the allegations contained in the articles of impeachment that accused Paxton of misusing his official powers to help Paul, his friend and political donor.
Paul allegedly misstated his finances
In the indictment unsealed Friday, prosecutors allege that Paul repeatedly misstated his financial situation to obtain loans from credit unions and mortgage lenders in New York, Connecticut and Ireland.
“On three occasions, Paul gave a financial institution a false and counterfeit document, representing that one of Paul’s bank accounts held millions of dollars when in fact the balance of the account was less than $13,000,” the indictment stated.
In another instance, prosecutors alleged, Paul told a lender he owned 100% of a company that was to receive a loan, but another firm that was not affiliated with Paul owned 91% of the company.
In a third case, Paul told a lender that his total liabilities were $3.4 million when they exceeded $28 million. “Therefore, Paul knowingly made a false statement and report when he said that the amount of his total liabilities was only $3,422,056,” the indictment said.
Paul was arrested by the FBI and booked Thursday afternoon into the Travis County Jail on a federal warrant, but the nature of the charges against were not initially disclosed. He is represented by Morris, a 40-year Austin defense attorney and past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Paul is a central figure in the abuse-of-office and bribery allegations made against Paxton by former high-ranking officials, all of whom were subsequently fired or resigned from the attorney general’s office after taking their concerns to the FBI in 2020. Their accusations — focusing on help Paxton gave Paul after the real estate investor’s Austin home and businesses were searched by federal law enforcement — prompted an FBI investigation and formed the lion’s share of 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton that the Texas House adopted last month.
Paxton is currently suspended from his official duties and awaiting an impeachment trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds vote would permanently remove him from office. A specially appointed panel of senators will present rules of procedure for the trial to the full Senate on June 20, according to a resolution that set the trial to begin no later than Aug. 28.
Paul, once considered a major player in the real estate business, was one of the largest owners of real estate in Austin through his investment firm, World Class Capital Group. A string of bankruptcies followed. In 2019, the FBI and U.S. Treasury Department agents searched Paul’s home and business offices, bringing Paul and Paxton together.
Paul complained that the federal agents doctored search warrant records, and Paxton directed his agency to take a number of “bizarre, obsessive” actions to investigate Paul’s complaint, according to a whistleblower lawsuit filed by four Paxton deputies who had been fired.
In 2018, Paul had given a $25,000 donation to Paxtons campaign. The former top aides also claimed that Paul helped Paxton fund an extensive remodel of his Austin house and gave a job to a woman with whom Paxton allegedly had an affair. Paxton is married to state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney.
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Austin, TX
‘It’s really helpful’: Central Texas workforce programs receive thousands in state funding
![‘It’s really helpful’: Central Texas workforce programs receive thousands in state funding](https://www.kxan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/06/0625-SA-ABBOTT-WORKFORCE-GRANTS.00_01_31_05.Still004.jpg?w=1280)
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas nonprofits just got more money to help their efforts increasing our workforce.
Twenty workforce skills training and job placement programs received more than $6.3 million in grant funding, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday.
The funding came via the Texas Talent Connection grant program, an initiative designed to aid “innovative education and workforce skills training programs that lead to successful job placement, increased wages, and improved job retention,” per the release.
Two of those programs are in the Austin area: American YouthWorks and Skillpoint Alliance.
‘Reach out to rural communities’
Skillpoint Alliance received $210,000 from the grant program.
Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brackmeyer said it will help them reach out to rural communities throughout all of the areas they serve.
“We’ve seen a lot of individuals who are coming to our training come from outside of these rural communities. We felt that it was urgent that we start really reaching out to those communities and really helping them get trained.”
Kevin Brackmeyer, Skillpoint Alliance Chief Executive Officer
Brackmeyer said they are setting up pop-up trainings in those rural places. He said the grant will also help expand the times they can train.
“Adding more training sites at night as well as during the day with a focus on specific populations,” Brackmeyer said “One being the veterans that we love to serve.”
Skillpoint Alliance Electrical Instructor Matthew Singer is a veteran himself.
“It’s hard to reach veterans,” Singer said. “Often, large populations are in Killeen and San Antonio. So we try to go to them and provide them an opportunity to transfer from the military into a trade.”
‘Serve more young people’
American YouthWorks is another Austin nonprofit receiving the Texas Talent Connection Grant Program.
“Typically, students are spending half their time in our academic programs, finishing their GED or high school diploma and half of their time in the pre-apprenticeship job training programs,” said YouthBuild Program Director David Clauss.
Clauss said their $350,000 will go towards YouthBuild, a program for young adults who haven’t finished high school.
“Our YouthBuild programs job training is focused around the Austin economy,” Class said. “We provide job training in healthcare, IT, manufacturing and construction in the skilled trades.”
With this additional support, Clauss said they’re able to support over 120 to 150 young people.
The nonprofit said 80% of YouthBuild grads go on to higher education or a job in the Austin economy.
YouthBuild participant Eloy Vasquez is planning for that in his future.
“I actually want to like join trade school after this. A lot of the skills that I’ve learned here will definitely translate into what careers I’m trying to pursue.”
Eloy Vasquez, YouthBuild participant
Collectively, more than $50 million in grants have been awarded through the state’s grant program since 2015.
Austin, TX
Global aerospace co. Acutronic names Austin its divisional HQ, plans additional investment in area
![Global aerospace co. Acutronic names Austin its divisional HQ, plans additional investment in area](https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12775800/dc-acutronic-001*1200xx2200-1240-0-226.jpg)
Austin, TX
Lutron and Meridian Host Austin, TX Specifier Event to Demonstrate the Transformative Power of Light and Sound
![Lutron and Meridian Host Austin, TX Specifier Event to Demonstrate the Transformative Power of Light and Sound](https://www.ravepubs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DSC04815-800x1198.jpg)
Lutron and Meridian Host Austin, TX Specifier Event to Demonstrate the Transformative Power of Light and Sound
Coopersburg, PA (June 17, 2024) – Lutron Electronics, the trusted leader in architectural lighting, motorized window shades, and lighting control systems, and Meridian Audio, the British Audio Technology Pioneer, recently brought together luxury design professionals to share in a bespoke dining adventure with curated lighting, memorable music, and culinary pairings. The event was produced in collaboration with leading manufacturers’ representative Bell & McCoy and home technology experts Captivate, Inc. The exclusive, invitation-only event emphasized how light and sound can shape experiences and heighten senses in ways that transform fine dining into fine art.
A combination of esteemed local architects and designers attended the event, observing the transformative nature of light and sound through an unparalleled sensory experience featuring Lutron’s Ketra lighting, Palladiom shades, and Meridian audio solutions. The goal? Awaken the senses and immerse guests in magical moments to generate ideas and encourage specifiers to share the promise of luxury experiences.
Six meticulously crafted creations were served from Uchi Austin, an award-winning Japanese restaurant, over the course of the evening. Lighting scenes and sound design were tailored to complement the mood and cuisine, adding a layer of sophistication that enhanced the overall experience without overpowering it.
Demonstration: Light and sound without limits
Two pairs of multi-award-winning Meridian Audio DSP9 Loudspeakers, finished in Piano Lacquer Black and Volcano Orange, immersed diners in authentic, natural, and lifelike sound throughout the venue.
Ketra’s Natural Light solution was integral to the event, offering flexibility in color temperature and light intensity that delivered the bright, white light needed to prepare meals and then transitioned to something softer when it was time to serve and entertain. The minimal profile, beautifully simple Lutron Palladiom Shades integrated seamlessly to help enhance and showcase the space.
“Lutron and Meridian are both focused on addressing the needs and desires of luxury homeowners. With Lutron + Ketra, it’s the power of light. With Meridian, that something is how customers experience sound. Together, our teams delivered a unique multisensory experience of the highest quality for our specifier guests.” said David Weinstein, Lutron’s Vice-President of Residential Sales.
“The evening showcased the great match between Lutron and Meridian, and our shared value propositions. Meridian is in the business of ‘goosebumps’ and our ambition for the event was to elevate the dining experience by seamlessly integrating natural, authentic and lifelike sound with the other sensory elements provided by Lutron and Uchi, enriching every moment with depth and emotion. Feedback from guests was exactly what we all would have wished for. It was very gratifying to hear that our award-winning Reference DSP9 loudspeakers were appreciated as much for their intentional design – ‘functional art’ – as for their powerful, high-end performance,” said John Buchanan, Meridian CEO.
One attendee commented on his personal experience, “This is about creating a 5-star experience for your home,” said Colin Slaughter of Ryan Street Architects. Andrea Alvarez of Matt Fajkus Architecture said of her experience, “Incredible evening. Very engaging and truly amazed by the product and all the possibilities it can have. I am leaving here with some great ideas.”
About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)
Founded in 1961, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., is headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. From dimmers for the home to lighting management systems for entire buildings, the company offers more than 15,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries. In the U.S. alone, Lutron products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. The company’s early inventions— including the first solid-state electronic dimmer invented by Lutron’s founder, Joel Spira—are at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
About Meridian Audio (www.meridian-audio.com)
Meridian is a multi-award-winning British audio technology innovator with a rapidly growing automotive business. In home audio, Meridian is best known for the hi-fi and surround sound cinema products chosen for many of the world’s most astonishing residences and super yachts. For the demanding in-car environment, the company focusses on pioneering DSP and other software technologies, supported by deep expertise in electronics, hardware integration and system tuning. Many of the world’s most ambitious vehicle manufacturers trust Meridian to support their audio system design, adding value to their most premium systems through the addition of the Meridian brand. Meridian is a technology- driven business that invests around 15% of revenue in R&D, ensuring a full pipeline of innovations that deliver exciting upgrade paths for its customers.
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