Judge Rules Against Fort Bend County Judge KP George in Legal Battle

A recent ruling has set the stage for a significant legal confrontation involving Fort Bend County Judge KP George and the district attorney’s office. A judge has determined that the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, led by Brian Middleton, will retain its role in prosecuting criminal cases against George. This decision follows a courtroom hearing where George’s legal team argued for the removal of the district attorney from the case, expressing concerns regarding an encrypted messaging app used by Middleton to communicate about the ongoing legal matters.

During the hearing, George’s attorney, Jared Woodfill, raised issues about the use of the app, Signal, stating, “I’ve never seen, or I’m not aware of, a district attorney using an encrypted app.” Woodfill contended that this method of communication raised ethical concerns. In response, spokesperson Wesley Wittig from the DA’s office dismissed these claims as unfounded, asserting, “There’s nothing unethical or unlawful about using any messaging app.”

The judge ultimately sided with the district attorney’s office, allowing Middleton and his team to proceed with the prosecution. This legal battle adds to the scrutiny surrounding George, who is facing serious allegations, including charges related to campaign funds and social media posts. In a related case, George’s former chief of staff, Taral Patel, has already pleaded guilty to creating fake racist messages aimed at damaging George’s reputation.

George’s misdemeanor trial concerning the social media posts is scheduled to begin on January 6, 2026, just as early voting approaches for his re-election bid. The felony trial regarding the campaign funds is set to follow in the months afterward. George’s legal team has expressed their desire for these trials to take place in a different venue, arguing that the proceedings are tainted by political motivations.

Woodfill stated, “You’ve got a political vendetta because you want to take this man down at the ballot box and ultimately take down his freedom. That’s wrong. If it can happen to Judge George, it can happen to anyone.” The district attorney’s office has pushed back against these assertions, with Wittig firmly stating, “Fort Bend’s trash is handled here. We don’t pass it to someone else.”

Aside from the main legal issues, the hearing also revealed concerns about George’s representation. The judge considered whether to remove Woodfill from the case after learning that a former employee of the law firm had been implicated in a theft investigation involving George’s funds. During the proceedings, George affirmed his desire for Woodfill to remain as his attorney, clarifying that a sealed envelope had been mishandled by a receptionist, who is no longer with the firm.

The DA’s office emphasized the importance of documenting these issues to prevent future claims of inadequate representation by George. Wittig noted, “Mr. George cannot come back later and say, ‘Hey, I should’ve had a new lawyer because of these things.'”

As the legal battles unfold, attention will be focused on the implications for George and the broader political landscape in Fort Bend County. The outcome of these trials may not only affect George’s future but also send ripples through local governance as the election approaches.