Fort Bend County Judge KP George has been convicted on two counts of felony money laundering following a week-long trial in Richmond, Texas.
The verdict, reached Friday by a 12-member jury, stems from accusations that George diverted over $46,500 in campaign contributions to personal accounts and falsified financial statements to conceal the transfers.
George, 61, was handcuffed after the verdict, and District Judge Maggie Jaramillo set a $20,000 bond.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, when Jaramillo will determine whether George faces incarceration, probation, fines, or a combination of penalties.
Under Texas law, a third-degree felony conviction carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000, according to Houston Public Media.
Prosecutors detailed the movement of campaign funds into George’s personal accounts, which were reportedly used for a home down payment, property taxes, and everyday expenses.
Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson described the conduct as deliberate and methodical. “This was not an inadvertent mistake, but a calculated effort to defraud supporters and conceal personal benefit,” she said.
George, first elected as Fort Bend County judge in 2018 as a Democrat, was the first person of color to hold the position in the county’s history.
He switched to the Republican Party last year but came in last in the GOP primary.
Defense attorneys argued the transfers were repayments of personal loans to his campaign and suggested the case was politically motivated.
Attorneys also highlighted missing financial records from prior elections, which they claimed prevented a complete picture of campaign finances, according to the Fort Bend Star.
“The defense contends that the full picture was never shown,” said attorney Jared Woodfill, according to the Houston Press. “Twelve jurors can do anything, but we believe we had a strong case. Mr. George is a man of strong Christian faith and is relying on that to move forward.”
The jury deliberated for approximately eight hours over two days before returning a unanimous verdict.
FOX 26 reported that prosecutors presented evidence of repeated transfers into personal accounts, significant daily spending, and financial activity across out-of-state accounts, arguing the pattern undermined public trust and violated transparency standards.
Texas law dictates that felony convictions trigger automatic removal from office, though the formal process occurs at sentencing.
Assistant District Attorney Wesley Wittig said county commissioners will convene to determine interim leadership until the November election.
Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy praised the verdict, stating that residents deserve officials who “honor their oath, not exploit it for personal gain.”
George also faces a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity connected to alleged “fake hate” attacks against his campaign, with trial proceedings set to begin May 5.
The conviction marks a significant moment in Fort Bend County politics, highlighting legal oversight of elected officials and the importance of campaign finance transparency.
Prosecutors emphasized that the case demonstrates that public office does not exempt individuals from accountability, a principle echoed by both political allies and opponents.
As the sentencing phase approaches, the case underscores the legal and ethical scrutiny facing local officials and reinforces the mechanisms in place to uphold public trust and integrity in county governance.
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