Fort Bend County Judge KP George was arrested April 4 on two charges of money laundering between $30,000 to $150,000, according to Fort Bend County court records.
In a nutshell
A warrant for George, who was elected in November 2018, was issued midday April 4, according to court records. George reportedly turned himself in to authorities, KPRC 2 reported.
In a statement issued April 4, George called the charges part of a "political witch hunt period" from the Fort Bend County District Attorney's office.
"I have full confidence that the truth will prevail, in the meantime, I remain committed to serving and fighting for the people of Fort Bend County with the same passion and dedication as always," he said in the statement.
The details
George is accused of money laundering by tampering with campaign finance reports between Jan. 12, 2019-April 22, 2019, according to court records. The March 31 indictment claims he knowingly concealed, possessed or transferred the proceeds of criminal activity with the intent to defraud or harm.
Additionally, George is accused of then knowingly investing, expending or receiving the proceeds of criminal activity, per court records.
Each money laundering charge is a third-degree felony that is punishable by two to 10 years in prison, according to the Texas Penal Code.
However, George said in his statement the charges are in regards to him "loaning personal funds to [his] own campaign and later repaying that loan." He claimed "there is nothing illegal" about this, and that it's a "standard and lawful practice."
Remember this?
The new charges come after George was indicted last fall on charges of misrepresenting his identity with intent to injure a candidate or influence the November 2022 election.
George is accused of having knowledge that Taral Patel—George’s former chief of staff and former commissioner candidate—was using a false Facebook account to post “hateful, racist and xenophobic” comments against George and others in September 2022.
Misrepresentation of identity is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000, officials said previously.
What else?
George’s attorney also filed a motion Oct. 4 to dismiss the misrepresentation of identity charges brought upon him.
In the writ of habeas corpus motion, attorney Chad Dick claimed the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office indicted George prematurely, saying the Texas Ethics Commission didn’t have the opportunity to rule on the case, Community Impact reported.
Judge Teana V. Watson, County Court at Law No. 5, denied George's attorney's motion Oct. 21, per court records.
Wesley Wittig, second assistant district attorney for Fort Bend County, said the misdemeanor charge has since been reset, pending the outcome of another case involving a former candidate for county court-at-law judge in Washington County.
Looking ahead
George's bail is set for $20,000 for the two charges, Wittig confirmed. The story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
