On Monday, April 7, 2025, the Fort Bend Independent reported that Fort Bend County Judge KP George has been indicted on two felony counts related to alleged campaign finance violations from 2019. The indictments, filed by the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, accuse George of tampering with a governmental record, specifically regarding the Campaign Finance Report submitted to the state.

The charges also include money laundering and wire fraud. Money laundering refers to the process of disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate. According to the indictments, George is accused of orchestrating a scheme between January 12, 2019, and April 22, 2019, to collect illegal campaign contributions. It is alleged that on April 22, he transferred these funds, which led to the wire fraud charge. The indictments suggest that some contributions may have been hidden from the campaign finance report.

KP George was first elected as county judge in November 2018 and took office on January 1, 2019. The campaign finance report in question pertains to that election. Last year, the District Attorney’s Office also filed a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity against George, which is currently pending in County Court at Law No. 5. This charge stemmed from an investigation that initially focused on Taral Patel, an associate of George, but later expanded to include George himself. The recent felony indictments are unrelated to the pending misdemeanor charges.

In a statement released on campaign letterhead, George defended his actions, asserting that he has always operated with integrity and transparency. He stated, “Let me be absolutely clear—there is nothing illegal about loaning personal funds to my own campaign and later repaying that loan. This is a standard and lawful practice.” He characterized the indictments as part of a political witch hunt and expressed confidence that the truth would emerge.

Following the indictments, calls for George’s resignation have intensified. Notably, Fort Bend County Democratic Chair Fred Taylor has publicly urged George to step down. Other politicians eyeing the county judge position have also joined in demanding his resignation. Despite this pressure, George appears determined to fight the charges rather than resign.

If convicted of a felony, George would forfeit his position as county judge. The timeline for a potential trial remains uncertain, raising the question of whether it will conclude before the end of his current term, which runs until December 31, 2026. If George intends to seek re-election, he must file for the March 2026 primary by December of this year.

The Democratic Party, having distanced itself from George, is particularly eager for his resignation due to concerns that he may side with Republicans during his remaining time in office. George has already voted with Republican members to engage a consultant for redistricting, further fueling calls for his departure.

Should George resign before his term concludes, the Commissioners Court would need to nominate an interim county judge. With an even split of two Republicans and two Democrats on the court, any votes could result in a tie, complicating decision-making processes. The county’s budget and tax rate could also be jeopardized if there is a four-member court without a county judge.

 

 

Source: Fort Bend Independent