Indian-origin county judge in U.S. convicted of money laundering, sentencing on June 16

An Indian-origin region justice has been convicted of wealth laundering pursuing a assemblage verdict successful a high-profile run concern lawsuit successful the U.S.' Texas authorities and faces removal from bureau aft authoritative sentencing connected June 16.

K.P. George's conviction, a third-degree felony nether Texas law, carries a imaginable condemnation of 2 to 10 years successful situation and a good of up to $10,000.

George, who serves arsenic region justice of Fort Bend County — 1 of the astir divers counties successful the state with a important Indian-American colonisation — was recovered blameworthy of misusing run funds for idiosyncratic expenses.

According to prosecutors, George transferred implicit $46,000 from his run relationship into idiosyncratic accounts and utilized the wealth for backstage purposes, including a home-related payment.

The defence argued that the funds were reimbursements for idiosyncratic loans helium had extended to his campaign.

The assemblage returned its verdict aft respective hours of deliberations, pursuing which George was taken into custody successful the courtroom. He was aboriginal released connected enslaved and walked retired of the Fort Bend County Jail astir 8 p.m. connected Friday (March 20, 2026) pursuing the blameworthy verdict.

George has opted for the justice to determine his sentence. The sentencing proceeding has been scheduled for June 16.

District attorneys successful the courtroom told FOX 26 news portal that, according to law, George is to beryllium removed from bureau upon conviction, however, his authoritative removal volition not hap until aft he's officially sentenced.

Fort Bend County commissioners tin past divided George's responsibilities, oregon person idiosyncratic capable successful arsenic interim, it added.

Under Texas law, helium is expected to proceed successful bureau until sentencing, though removal oregon suspension whitethorn travel depending connected ineligible proceedings and immoderate appeals.

George, who traces his roots to India, roseate done section authorities to go 1 of the astir salient Indian-American elected officials successful Texas. He had been regarded arsenic a cardinal fig representing the increasing governmental power of the diaspora successful the region.