FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — KP George has been suspended from office following legal and political proceedings tied to a civil lawsuit and a separate felony money laundering conviction, according to court records and county officials.
A visiting judge from Galveston County, Texas issued the suspension on April 10 in connection with a September 2025 civil lawsuit filed by a Fort Bend County resident. The lawsuit alleged that George violated the plaintiff’s First Amendment rights during a commissioners court proceeding in which he said, “You don’t have a First Amendment right here in this courtroom.”
The lawsuit also cited George’s conduct as potential gross ignorance, carelessness in official duties, or unfitness to perform judicial responsibilities.
Separately, George was convicted on felony money laundering charges and previously ran in the March Republican primary, where he placed fifth. He had earlier been elected as a Democrat in 2018 and 2022 before switching parties in 2025.
Following the suspension order, visiting Judge Jeth Jones swore in former Sugar Land City Council member Daniel Wong as interim county judge on April 13. Wong won the Republican primary for the position in March.
County officials said Fort Bend County, the eighth-most-populous county in Texas, operated without a sitting county judge for several days before the appointment.
The Fort Bend County Democratic Party, led by chair Jennifer Cantu, said the appointment raised concerns about partisanship in local government.
Commissioners Court member Dexter McCoy, who is running in a Democratic primary runoff against Rachelle Carter, said the appointment affected judicial independence.
During an April 13 commissioners court meeting, residents addressed Wong during public comment. The court later voted 4-1 to approve $52,000 in salary payments for George while he remains suspended and awaits sentencing.
McCoy cast the lone dissenting vote on the measure.
