Another judge steps down in case against Taral Patel, former staffer for Fort Bend County Judge KP George

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Another judge has recused themselves from the case against Taral Patel, a November 2024 candidate for Fort Bend County commissioner.

Tarel was defeated in the November election by his opponent Andy Meyers who won with a 59% lead.

Judge Christian Becerra of the 434th District has removed himself from the case involving Taral. This decision was confirmed by the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.

• Fort Bend County candidate facing criminal charges may have also impersonated a judge on Facebook

The case will now be overseen by Judge Christi Kennedy, a retired senior judge from Tyler, Texas.

Taral is facing accusations of creating fake online accounts, impersonating officials, and posting racist comments against himself to garner voter sympathy.

• How this Texas law was used to charge a Fort Bend Co. Commissioner candidate with faking social media attacks

This change follows the removal of Fort Bend County Judge Surendran Patel from the case earlier this summer.

Investigators revealed that Judge Patel was among the officials Taral allegedly impersonated online.

• Investigators: Candidate for Fort Bend Co. Commissioner created online persona, racially attacked opponents and himself

Taral is currently facing nine felony and misdemeanor charges related to the scandal.

Additionally, current Fort Bend County Judge KP George, who was Taral’s former boss, has also been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly faking his identity online.