Fort Bend County officials are moving to stabilize county operations after County Judge KP George was convicted on felony charges, a development that has left the county’s top leadership position in legal and administrative limbo.
Last week, a jury found George guilty of money laundering and tampering with campaign finance reports. However, his sentencing is not scheduled until June 16, meaning his legal status remains unresolved for now. Under Texas law, elected officials convicted of felonies must be removed from office, but that removal does not take effect until sentencing is finalized.
In response to the uncertainty, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to reassign the judge’s signing authority. The court designated Commissioner Grady Prestage as the county’s authorized signing agent and named him presiding officer should George ultimately be deemed ineligible to serve. George did not attend the meeting where these decisions were made.
The move comes as state officials raise concerns about the county’s access to critical funding. The office of Greg Abbott has notified county leaders that 27 active state grants have been paused due to uncertainty over George’s authority to act as the county’s official representative. These grants support a range of services, including victim assistance programs, law enforcement initiatives, and cybersecurity efforts.
State officials also requested assurances that none of the grant funds were tied to any criminal activity. The grants had previously listed George as the authorized official responsible for oversight and compliance, creating complications following his conviction.
Beyond funding concerns, commissioners are also seeking to assess any broader risks to county operations. The court approved a directive for the county auditor to conduct a comprehensive financial review. This review will focus on identifying potential exposures or vulnerabilities stemming from the situation involving the county judge.
Political pressure is mounting as well. Commissioners Vincent Morales and Dexter McCoy have publicly called for George to resign, arguing that the conviction undermines public trust and the county’s ability to function effectively.
The case against George stems from a 2025 indictment alleging that he transferred campaign funds to personal accounts and used the money for expenses, including a home purchase. His defense team argued that the transactions were legitimate reimbursements for loans he made to his campaign, but the jury ultimately rejected that argument.
George also faces a separate legal matter tied to a 2024 indictment involving his former chief of staff, Taral Patel, who pleaded guilty to charges related to fabricated racist social media posts. That case remains pending.
Following the conviction, George’s attorneys, including Jared Woodfill and Terry Yates, are weighing a possible appeal. If the conviction stands, George could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
The political landscape in Fort Bend County has already been shifting. George, who switched parties last year, finished last in the 2026 Republican primary. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary will head to a runoff between McCoy and Associate Judge Rachelle Carter.
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