George, a Democrat elected to a second term in 2022, was previously indicted in September on a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity. He’s accused of working with former staffer Taral Patel to create fake racist attacks against his own campaign on social media.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George has been arrested on money laundering charges.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George, already facing legal troubles, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of money laundering, according to county jail records and the district attorney’s office.

George, a Democrat first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, said in a statement posted to Facebook that he had loaned personal money to his campaign and later repaid it.

“(T)here is nothing illegal about loaning personal funds to my own campaign and later repaying that loan,” he said. “This is a standard and lawful practice.”

The county judge also accused the district attorney’s office of “weaponizing” the government against him.

“Allegations and accusations are being made without full context or disclosure of the facts—deliberately manipulating the narrative to tarnish my reputation and character,” he said.

George was indicted in September on a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity. He’s accused of working with former staffer Taral Patel to create fake racist attacks against his own campaign on social media.

But prosecutors say the money laundering charge is unrelated to George’s prior indictment.

“The District Attorney’s Office has continuously stated that the investigation was ongoing, and that investigation has now led to two 3rd-degree felony indictments for Money Laundering, which were made public today,” the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “These charges are unrelated to the pending misdemeanor and are assigned to the 458th District Court. Our office remains committed to the integrity our public deserves, and the ethics to which all prosecutors are sworn to. And our investigation remains ongoing.”

George is accused of laundering equal to or more than $30,000 but less than $150,000. According to court records, the money laundering charges are connected to alleged wire fraud and tampering with a campaign finance report.

Money laundering is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

George’s arrest last year stemmed from his 2022 re-election campaign. During that time, the county judge shared screenshots of racist comments he received on social media. But prosecutors said at least some of the comments were posted by Patel under fake accounts and that George was aware of his staffer’s actions.

Patel ran for Fort Bend Precinct 3 County Commissioner in 2024. He’s accused of taking a similar strategy, allegedly sharing a collage of xenophobic comments against his campaign. Investigators say several of those comments were also posted by fake accounts and that Patel impersonated several real people, including a judge.

In November, several months after his arrest, Patel lost to Republican incumbent Andy Meyers. Patel is currently facing nine criminal charges.

In December, prosecutors confirmed they were investigating a contract between the county judge and Patel.

George was booked into the county jail around 3:30 p.m. Friday and was being held on a bail amount of $20,000.

On Thursday, George’s office announced that his State of the County address, scheduled for May 8, had been postponed until further notice.