Busted! Indian-Origin Judge Led Out in Handcuffs After Stealing Campaign Cash [WATCH]

A Fort Bend County jury on Friday found outgoing County Judge KP George guilty of money laundering following a trial that lasted more than a week.

The verdict stems from charges tied to 2019, shortly after George was first elected as the county’s top official.

Jurors began deliberating Thursday afternoon after closing arguments earlier that morning and ultimately returned a guilty verdict on the third-degree felony charge.

Here’s What They’re Not Telling You About Your Retirement

It was not immediately clear whether George plans to appeal the decision.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for June. A conviction on a third-degree felony carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, along with fines of up to $10,000.

The conviction could also result in George being removed from office in Fort Bend County, a fast-growing area southwest of Houston.

Wesley Wittig, an assistant district attorney with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, outlined the next legal steps following the conviction.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“Even though he’s convicted today, the trial’s not complete until the sentencing is finished and a judgement is entered. At that point there will be language in the judgement ordering the removal of Mr. George from office,” Wittig said.

“If they appeal that conviction, that will override the removal, and then we will ask the judge for an order of suspension pursuant to state law.”

George, a native of India, was first elected in 2018 and became the first person of color to serve as Fort Bend County judge. He was reelected in 2022.

Prosecutors argued during the trial that George misrepresented his campaign finance reports and transferred more than $46,000 in campaign funds into his personal account.

According to the state’s case, those funds were used for personal expenses, including a down payment on a home and property tax payments.

Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson told jurors that the financial reporting was not accidental.

“This is not an inadvertent mistake by an unsophisticated man,” Thompson said.

“This was a highly sophisticated scheme to defraud by an experienced, certified financial planner who has been running for state, federal and local office for the decade prior to filling out this form.”

George’s legal team pushed back on those claims, arguing that the case was politically motivated and pointing to what they described as missing financial records tied to earlier campaigns.

Defense attorney Jared Woodfill, who represents George in both the money laundering case and a separate pending case, criticized the outcome after the verdict was delivered.

“I think that the evidence was strong in our favor,” Woodfill said.

“There was a whole lot of information the DA didn’t look at. Juries can do anything.”

During closing arguments, Woodfill also told jurors the prosecution was driven by political motives.

“Over the past week-and-a-half, I think what you’ve seen is a professional and a political assassination of this man that’s been disguised as a criminal prosecution,” Woodfill said.

“And you’ve heard from a whole lot of witnesses, in this case, lots of witnesses, all about politics.”

Prosecutors rejected that characterization following the verdict. Brian Wice, who worked alongside Wittig on the case, said the jury focused on the evidence presented during the trial.

“This incredible jury of 12 Fort Bend County citizens saw through the side show … and saw through everything that mattered except that which convicted this defendant,” Wice said.

George also faces a separate misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity.

Prosecutors allege he created fake racist attacks targeting his own campaign.

That trial is expected to begin in May.

The jury’s verdict comes as George’s political standing has shifted in recent months.

Originally elected as a Democrat in 2018 and reelected in 2022, George switched parties and joined the GOP this summer.

He later ran in the Republican primary for his position but did not secure the nomination, receiving 8.4% of the vote and finishing last in a five-candidate race.

With sentencing set for June and another trial scheduled for May, George now faces ongoing legal proceedings that could determine both his future in public office and potential penalties stemming from the conviction.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.