Ken Paxton Caught on Video Partying in Dubai With Girlfriend and Two Federal Fugitives, One of Whom Donated $190K to Him

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attended a New Year's Eve party in Dubai alongside two men who were then wanted on federal healthcare fraud charges, according to video reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

The gathering took place on 31 December 2024 at a luxury high-rise overlooking the Burj Khalifa. Among those present was healthcare executive Anosh Ahmed, who had donated $190,000 (approximately £142,000) to Paxton, including $25,000 (approximately £18,750) just days after his indictment, according to campaign finance records cited by the newspaper.

The revelation comes as Paxton, the Republican nominee for the US Senate in Texas, faces Democrat James Talarico in a closely watched race. Although the gathering has drawn attention to Paxton's associations and campaign funding, there is no publicly established evidence that he knew about the alleged fraud or that Ahmed's donations were connected to any official action.

What the Video Shows About the Dubai Gathering

The footage shows Paxton and his girlfriend, Tracy Duhon, among guests watching fireworks to welcome 2025. Ahmed and businessman Sameer Suhail were also present. Both men had been indicted months earlier in a case alleging that they helped divert more than $15 million (approximately £11.2 million) from a Chicago hospital through payments for goods and services that prosecutors said had not been provided.

According to the US Department of Justice, Ahmed was the hospital's former chief financial officer. The indictment alleged that he, Suhail and another executive participated in the scheme.

Both Ahmed and Suhail have since returned to the United States to face prosecution. Ahmed remains in custody, according to The Wall Street Journal. The charges against the men remain allegations, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The footage establishes Paxton's presence at the gathering but does not establish that he participated in or knew about the alleged criminal activity.

The Donation and the Separate Healthcare Fraud Case

Campaign finance records cited by The Wall Street Journal show that Ahmed contributed a total of $190,000 (approximately £142,000) to Paxton, including a $25,000 (approximately £18,750) contribution made days after his initial indictment in July 2024.

Ahmed was also charged in a separate alleged COVID-19 testing fraud scheme. The Justice Department said prosecutors alleged that the defendants sought approximately $894 million (approximately £671 million) in reimbursements through fraudulent claims, of which about $293 million (approximately £220 million) was paid.

Those figures relate to the separate COVID-19 testing case and should not be confused with the allegations involving the Chicago hospital. Ahmed has pleaded not guilty to the additional charges, according to the reporting.

The donations establish a financial connection between Ahmed and Paxton's campaign, but they do not by themselves demonstrate wrongdoing by Paxton or a link between the contributions and his official duties.

Paxton's Response and the Political Stakes

Paxton's senior adviser, Nick Maddux, did not directly address questions about the Dubai gathering when contacted by The Wall Street Journal. Instead, he defended the attorney general's political record.

'Like President Trump, Ken Paxton has been politically persecuted for years, and every time, voters have seen through it and sent him back to office because they know he has always fought for Texas,' Maddux said.

The response did not explain the circumstances of the party or address the reported donations.

The report comes as Paxton seeks a US Senate seat in a closely watched Texas race against Democrat James Talarico. President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton during the Republican primary contest, and the attorney general went on to win the party's run-off.

Paxton has previously survived serious political challenges. In 2023, the Texas House impeached him over allegations of corruption and abuse of office involving his relationship with real estate developer Nate Paul. Paxton denied wrongdoing, and the state Senate acquitted him, allowing him to remain in office.

The Dubai gathering does not establish a new criminal allegation against Paxton. Its political significance lies in the scrutiny of his associations and campaign funding as voters weigh his record ahead of the 3 November general election.