AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A Texas House panel has voted to censure a University of Texas System regent over his efforts to oust the president of the Austin campus, choosing not to pursue an impeachment process that could have removed him from office.
Panel members said they could later vote on articles of impeachment against Wallace Hall, but that censure was a strong statement his behavior crossed the line for a university regent.
Hall was accused of abusing his office to overwhelm the University of Texas with massive record requests, bullying staff and violating federal privacy laws related to student records.
Hall has denied wrongdoing. He is facing a separate criminal investigation by Travis County prosecutors.
The Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations has been investigating Hall for more than a year.