Taral Patel, the Democratic nominee for Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner, appeared in court Monday morning for a mandatory hearing.
Patel was arrested and charged in June after an investigation revealed that he had created fake social media accounts, posing as supporters of his political rivals. He allegedly used these accounts to send himself and others racially charged and offensive messages in an attempt to gain sympathy from voters.
Despite his arrest, Patel has largely stayed out of the public eye until his appearance Monday. On the court docket, the session was listed as a “discovery” hearing.
Patel quickly exited the courtroom, avoiding questions from reporters as he left the Fort Bend County Justice Center.
The investigation also implicated Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Patel’s former employer, who was indicted alongside Patel. Judge George’s attorney recently filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, citing the state’s failure to comply with provisions in the Texas Constitution.
George has maintained his position and has said he has no plans to step down.
As the legal proceedings continue, both Patel and George face significant public scrutiny, with the charges casting a shadow over Patel’s campaign for the Precinct 3 Commissioner seat.