https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/fort-bend/2026/03/19/546637/kp-george-trial-fort-bend-county-money-laundering-charges/

A Fort Bend County jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon after the defense rested its case in the money laundering trial of outgoing County Judge KP George.

The jurors, who were instructed to reconvene Friday morning, were considering evidence from a trial that spanned more than a week. Closing arguments took place Thursday morning after the court read George's two charges of money laundering stemming from 2019, after he was first elected as the top official for the county southwest of Houston.

County prosecutors argued that George misrepresented his campaign finance reports, transferred more than $46,000 in campaign funds to his personal account and used them for personal expenses, including to make a down payment on a house and to pay his property taxes.

ort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson alleged that when it came to reporting his financial responsibilities, George lied in his campaign reports to avoid suspicion.

"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."

Attorneys for George argued during closing statements that the criminal case against their client was politically motivated, repeating a refrain that began well before the trial. Attorney Jared Woodfill told jurors that the district attorney’s office was missing bank records for George’s previous election campaigns, which he said could jeopardize the case.

"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."

After closing statements, the jury was instructed to consider the evidence and come up with a verdict. Jurors were set to discuss whether the county judge knowingly engaged in money laundering or if his actions were within the scope of his campaign finance oversight.

The county judge was first elected as a Democrat in 2018 and reelected in 2022. George switched parties and joined the GOP this summer, but failed to secure the Republican nomination for his seat in the recent March primary elections. George secured 8.4% of the vote to place last in a five-candidate race.

The county judge also faces a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity for allegedly creating fake racist attacks against his own campaign. That trial is expected to start in May.