Lawsuit details wage theft, harassment by former Texas OAG leaders during Paxton impeachment
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman who worked on the defense of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during his 2023 impeachment has sued two of her bosses, who were also on that team, accusing them of sexual harassment and wage theft. A spokesperson for the defendants refuted her claims in an email to KXAN.
Plaintiff Jordan Eskew said her bosses at Austin law firm Stone Hilton PLLC, Christopher Hilton and Judd Stone, paid her less than what they promised her, by tens of thousands of dollars.
Stone Hilton PLLC began in response to the impeachment of Paxton, the lawsuit said. Before then, Stone was the OAG’s Solicitor General and Hilton was the OAG’s chief of the general litigation division.
“[Defendants] and Plaintiff took a leave of absence from the AG’s Office to help defend Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial,” the lawsuit reads.
One of the alleged instances of harassment occurred weeks after Stone Hilton PLLC started. According to the lawsuit, in June 2023, the defense team went to a bar for lunch. While there, Hilton and Stone bought shots.
“After taking one sip, Plaintiff stated, ‘That is the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted,’ to which Judd Stone replied, ‘I highly doubt that is the most disgusting thing that has ever been in your mouth.’ Plaintiff looked at Christopher Hilton for help, but Christopher Hilton did nothing other than wince and laugh uncomfortably at Stone’s comment.”
Stone also allegedly told Eskew, “In this firm, there are no rules. You can say whatever slurs you want.” Eskew also claims Stone called her “white trash” and would frequently scream at her and other women in the office.
“Plaintiff regularly observed Christopher Hilton and Judd Stone drinking alcohol at the Stone Hilton PLLC office during the workday,” the lawsuit said. “On at least two occasions, they asked Plaintiff to go buy liquor and beer as part of her job duties, at least once from Specs and once from a convenience store. On at least two occasions, Judd Stone asked Plaintiff to make him an alcoholic drink at the office as part of her job duties.”
Following the unsuccessful impeachment, Eskew and the rest of the team returned to work at the OAG. Upon returning, she went to the OAG’s second in command, Brent Webster, who relayed her claims to Paxton. Hilton and Stone were allowed to resign their positions in October 2023, according to the lawsuit.
In a response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Stone and Hilton called it a “complete fabrication” by Webster.
“Brent Webster has a personal vendetta against Mr. Hilton and Mr. Stone. This lawsuit is his creation and is a complete fabrication,” said a spokesperson for Stone and Hilton. “Our focus remains on serving our clients with excellence. We are confident in truth and the truth will prevail.”
KXAN contacted the Attorney General’s Office and Webster for comment on the case.
The lawsuit includes a December 2024 email from Webster, in which he outlines “serious safety concerns” for him and his family.
“It appears he is still very much obsessed with me, and given what has transpired in the past, and things he’s done or told me, I think you’ll understand my fear,” wrote Webster in the email. “Through many tears, [a female employee] told me stories of [Stone] discussing sexual things with her, specifically regarding a disturbing sexual fantasy [Stone] had about me being violently anally raped by a cylindrical asteroid in front of my wife and children.”
During the termination process, Stone allegedly admitted that allegations brought to Webster’s attention were true, “but that it was ok because it was during their time at a private law firm,” Webster’s email said.
Eskew asked the court for a jury trial, and for recovery of wages, court fees and anguish damages, should she win her case.
