FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Taral Patel, a former candidate for Fort Bend County commissioner, has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges for creating fake online accounts, impersonating officials, and posting racist comments about himself to gain voter sympathy during last year’s election.
Patel was defeated in the November 2024 election by his opponent, Andy Meyers, who won with a 59% margin.
He faced a third-degree felony charge for online impersonation and a Class A misdemeanor for misrepresentation of identity.
On Tuesday, Patel pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors, resulting in 24 months of probation. If he stays out of trouble during this period, all charges will be dismissed.
As part of his probation, Patel must donate $2,000 to a youth program in Fort Bend County, complete 400 hours of community service, avoid contact with the victims and candidates involved in the case, issue a public apology, and write an apology letter to all victims.
“It’s a great feeling. This was not about prison time, this was about justice,” said Wesley Wittig, Second Assistant District Attorney at Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
What Happened?
According to investigators, Patel portrayed himself as someone he is not over the internet, a violation of Texas Penal Code when done without proper consent and with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person according to the code.
In legal records obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates, authorities say the acts of impersonation were done on an account allegedly created by Patel under a different persona, where he attacked candidates—including racial attacks on himself or claimed to work with them. The usage of this account occurred online beginning in October 2022 and lasting through May of this year. He allegedly posted under the screen name “Antonio Scalywag.”
Investigators say the acts took place primarily on Facebook. Grand jury subpoenas were issued to Meta Platforms, Google, Comcast, T-Mobile, and JP Morgan Chase Bank to track the information and link it back to Patel.
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. Patel admitted in court documents released Tuesday that he committed an offense with George in Sept. 2022.
A few weeks ago, Judge George was also charged with two counts of money laundering, a third-degree felony. Court records also allege he tampered with a government record, namely a campaign finance report, with the intent to defraud or harm.
George’s attorney, Jared Woodfill, issued the following lengthy statement to 2 Investigates after today’s developments involving Patel.
“The Fort Bend County DA, Brian Middleton, knows there is no evidence that Judge George engaged in any illegal activity in violation of the Texas Election Code or any other statute. That is why he broke the law and bypassed the Texas Ethics Commission prior to indicting Judge George for an alleged campaign violation.Interestingly, DA Middleton has been found to have violated the Texas Election Code and sanctioned for his conduct. However, he did not prosecute himself. Mr. Patel’s plea agreement, which is a mere slap on the wrist, appears to be the DA’s effort to further manufacture a case against Judge George, cutting backroom deals in exchange for testimony. Attorney Brian Middleton is using Mr. Patel as a pawn in an effort to take out his political opponent, Judge George. Judge George has never even been found liable by Texas Ethics Commission, the body responsible for investigating alleged violations of the Texas Election Code. This case is about DA Middleton capturing the news headline in an effort to influence an election in his favor. This weaponization of the district attorneys office should concern every resident of Fort Bend County and the State of Texas. If a DA can abuse his office in an effort to take out a high profile political opponent, what chance is there for the every day citizen when he or she crosses a politically ambitious DA. Judge George will continue to stand against injustice and for all residents of Fort Bend County.”
