RICHMOND – At 9 a.m. on March 10, Fort Bend County Judge KP George will enter a courtroom, take a seat at the defense table, and witness the start of his criminal trial on money laundering charges.
These felony charges stem from George’s indictment last spring by citizens of Fort Bend County, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege that George used campaign funds for personal expenses, including his home and vehicle. If convicted by a jury of Fort Bend County residents, he could be removed from office and face possible prison time.
2 Investigates recently conducted George’s first in-depth interview since he turned himself in to the county jail last April following his initial indictment.
When asked if he was mentally prepared for the possibility of serving time in a Texas prison, George distanced himself from the topic.
“You know what… I don’t have any choice in that matter, and I will think about it if I get to that level,” George said. “Absolutely, I don’t have a choice. It’s not in my hands.”
When asked if he could provide any documents that might help clear his name regarding the alleged misuse of campaign funds, George declined.
“No, we cannot talk about that,” he said, with his chief of staff also responding to the question.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, legal costs related to the case have surpassed six figures and are being borne by Fort Bend taxpayers. A plea agreement could avoid additional legal expenses, though it would likely require an admission of guilt.
When asked if he would consider a deal before the trial, George said he is keeping his options open.
“It’s always an option,” George said. “It’s always an option, but we have to know what it is.”
Despite this, George later admitted that the process has gone too far to stop it.
“Now we are going to go to trial, very simple,” he said.
We also asked George about his leadership of Fort Bend County, the eighth-largest county in Texas, and whether his case has been a distraction or slowed county operations.
“It is absolutely not affecting our work,” George said. Two county commissioners agreed. “It’s business as usual,” said Grady Prestage.
However, George’s former chief of staff — who is now running to replace him, Commissioner Dexter McCoy — disagreed with that claim.
“We have been more focused on the scandal than on the people of this county,” McCoy said.
George stated that he has no plans to step aside during his trial. Lawyers involved in the case said the trial is expected to last over a week.