A Fort Bend County jury found County Judge KP George guilty on two counts of money laundering, for which he is facing two to ten years behind bars. KP George has chosen the judge to decide on his punishment.
George’s punishment phase will begin on June 16, according to an agreement between the prosecution and defense. George is being held on a $20,000 bond, which is $10,000 for each charge of money laundering. In addition, he had to give up his US passport.
According to the law, KP George will be removed from office upon conviction, district attorneys in the courtroom informed FOX 26. But George won’t be officially removed until he has received his sentence. The commissioners of Fort Bend County may then divide George’s duties or appoint a temporary replacement.
In a statement, Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy said that all commissioners will convene on Thursday “to determine next steps for the leadership of our county.”
After the guilty verdict, Fort Bend County Judge KP George was released on bond and left the Fort Bend County Jail at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday.
The county judge’s money laundering trial concluded its closing arguments on Thursday. During the trial, George did not testify.
Just before noon, the judge went over the charge with the jury before the arguments started.
George had entered a not guilty plea to the money laundering accusations. The jury was informed that they could consider a lesser charge of a state jail felony or find him guilty of the third-degree charge.
Additionally, the judge guided the jury through the legal definitions of money laundering and the criteria that must be applied while they deliberate.
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Prosecutors informed the jury during closing arguments that it was their duty to hold George accountable for what they called the persistent misrepresentation of campaign funds.
George “kept lying” in several campaign finance reports, according to Assistant District Attorney Katherine Peterson, and utilized campaign funds for personal gain.
The following were highlighted by the prosecution: (1) allegedly transferred campaign funds into personal accounts; (2) purchases, such as auto payments and other personal expenses; and (3) financial activity involving out-of-state transactions, such as accounts associated with Delaware and communications associated with Massachusetts.
Additionally, the state claimed that George anticipated receiving campaign funds by opening a personal savings account following a 2019 fundraiser. Peterson stated that candidates must accurately report all financial activity over time, citing testimony from a representative of the Texas Ethics Commission.
Prosecutors told jurors that the evidence demonstrates George embezzled more money than he was entitled to and used campaign funds for personal expenses over a period of years, rejecting claims that the case is politically motivated.
The defense, however, countered by asserting that the state’s case relies on flawed assumptions and incomplete records.
Defense lawyers informed jurors that the case revolves around government overreach, not criminal activity. They argued that the state did not establish George’s intent to commit fraud, which is necessary for a conviction, and that there is no proof he used illicit funds.
They underlined that candidates may lawfully lend money to their campaigns and repay themselves in accordance with Texas Ethics Commission regulations.
Additionally, lawyers challenged how some transactions were labeled, especially credit card spending, saying that without detailed records, it was hard to tell which expenses were personal and which were for the campaign.
They contended that George attempted to reveal rather than conceal money, citing the fact that money was transferred into accounts under his own name.
Jurors were informed by the defense that the investigation “left out critical information” and ultimately failed to establish a crime.
Prosecutors’ court documents claimed that George had lied under oath about the amount of money in his campaign account. He allegedly moved funds from his campaign account to his personal account, and they continued to investigate.
Additionally, documents stated that George participated in a plot to deceive campaign contributors and obtain funds under false pretenses.
He allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, which he then used to enrich himself, according to the prosecution.