KP George, the first Indian American judge in Fort Bend County, Texas, has been convicted of money laundering, facing a potential sentence of two to ten years in prison.
KP George, who made history as the first Indian American elected as a judge in Fort Bend County, Texas, in 2018, has been found guilty of money laundering following a felony trial that lasted over a week.
George was accused of misappropriating campaign funds by transferring a total of $46,500 from his campaign account to his personal account. His defense team argued that the transactions were not theft but rather repayments.
The trial took place at the Fort Bend County Justice Center in Richmond, concluding with George being taken from the courtroom in handcuffs, as reported by Houston-based KTRK.
He faced two felony charges related to money laundering and was convicted of a third-degree felony, which carries a potential sentence of two to ten years in prison. The jury chose not to convict him of a state felony that would have resulted in a shorter sentence of 180 days to two years.
George opted for the judge to determine his sentence, which is scheduled to be announced on June 16. According to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, he will not be removed from his position until the trial concludes with his sentencing. However, should he appeal the conviction, he may remain in office, although the DA’s office could seek a suspension.
Political science professor Mark Jones from Rice University noted that George’s removal from office would not occur until all appeals are exhausted, which is expected to happen before the end of his term.
Following his conviction, George was taken into custody but subsequently posted bail on Friday evening.
This is not George’s first encounter with legal issues. In 2023, he was indicted alongside his former chief of staff, Taral Patel, for allegedly orchestrating fake racist attacks against his 2022 campaign by creating fraudulent social media accounts.
Born in Kerala, India, George immigrated to the United States in 1993 on a work visa for a financial firm. After several years in the financial sector, he established his own financial planning business. He and his wife, Sheeba, settled in Sugar Land, Texas, in 1999.
George was first elected as Fort Bend County Judge in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022. His conviction marks a significant moment in the local political landscape.
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