Fort Bend County Judge KP George was removed from office on Friday, following a felony money laundering conviction, and replaced by Daniel Wong, who won the Republican primary last month and will vie for the permanent seat in November against the winner of a Democratic runoff.
The decision was made by visiting Judge Jeth Jones of Galveston, who was presiding over a civil case against George. It was unclear how long Wong will hold the office — described as “temporary” rather than “interim” — but it will be at least until the civil case is resolved.
The civil case involves a petition filed last year by Fort Bend County resident Sarah Roberts, who asked for George’s removal, alleging misconduct and incompetence. Roberts says in her complaint that George cut off a speaker during public comment and told another resident she did not have First Amendment rights to address the court.
George did not appear at a brief hearing on the civil case Friday but his attorney Jared Woodfill denied the allegations made by Roberts.
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court has been in limbo since George’s March 20 conviction for taking campaign donations and spending them on personal items. He is currently out on bond and faces up to 10 years in prison, with a sentencing phase set to begin in July. He’s also facing misdemeanor charges for his alleged involvement in a social media hoax, with a trial set to begin May 5.
Less than a week after George’s conviction, longtime Commissioner Grady Prestage was elected by his peers to serve as presiding officer in George’s absence. Although the felony conviction triggers automatic removal from office, the matter isn’t complete until a sentence is handed down.
A spokesman for the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office said Friday this is the first time in recent history that a sitting judge has been removed from office.
Jones ruled that Wong may begin presiding over commissioners court as soon as George posts a required $50,000 bond, which he said is a standard condition under Texas law. The next Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meeting is April 23.
Wong, a former Sugar Land City Council member, won the GOP primary in March in a crowded race in which George placed fifth with 4,283 votes. Democratic candidates Rachelle Carter, a municipal court judge, and Dexter McCoy, the current Precinct 4 commissioner, will face off in a May 26 runoff for the nomination.
McCoy’s campaign issued a statement shortly after Jones ruled on George’s ouster and Wong’s appointment.
“Today a judge — not the voters or elected members of Commissioners Court — installed a MAGA-endorsed millionaire to lead the eighth largest county in Texas,” the statement reads in part. “This is an overt act of political and election interference designed to give Mr. Wong an unfair advantage in the upcoming election for County Judge in November.”
McCoy’s statement further alleges that a “backroom deal” may have been made to arrange the temporary appointment and he is concerned about court leadership furthering George’s “corrupt agenda.”
Wong did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court had a 3-2 Democratic majority until George switched parties to the GOP last summer. Now the Republicans have the advantage, with Prestage and McCoy as the only Democrats.
The county judge earns an annual salary of about $188,000 and is elected to a four-year term.
