Texas

The Texas attorney general said U.S. Masters Swimming violated the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act by allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s events.

Attorney General Ken Paxton sued an adult swimming organization Thursday for allowing transgender athletes to race in a San Antonio competition in April, claiming it constituted “misleading” business practice.

Paxton’s lawsuit against U.S. Masters Swimming, a membership-based nonprofit promoting health and fitness for adults composed of several clubs across the country, follows an investigation into the organization he announced in May. The suit claims the organization violated the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act by allowing two trans women to compete in women’s events during its Spring Nationals competition in San Antonio.

The competition had previously been scrutinized after 47-year-old Ana Caldas, one of the two trans competitors, won first place in five separate women’s age 45-49 races during the event. About 25% of the organization’s 60,000 members take part in their competitive events, while most other members are focused on health and fitness, a spokesperson with Masters Swimming said Friday.

Paxton’s office seeks up to $10,000 for each alleged trade practice act violation, according to the suit. In a statement, Paxton called the organization’s policy on allowing trans athletes to compete “insane,” and said the lawsuit would protect the integrity of women’s sports.