A Democrat decide in Texas was busted for allegedly utilizing a faux Fb web page to direct racist feedback towards himself in an try and garner sympathy and safe re-election.
Fort Bend County Choose KP George, a high elected official within the suburban Houston county, received a 2022 re-election bid towards his Republican opponent, Trever Nehls.
A warrant obtained by KHOU 11 reveals that George’s mobile gadgets instructed he had been speaking with a fellow worker who used a faux Fb account beneath the title ‘Antonio Scalywag’ to work together with the decide’s posts and depart racist feedback.
Fort Bend County Choose KP George was busted for allegedly utilizing a faux Fb web page to direct racist feedback towards himself
He allegedly labored with an worker to orchestrate on-line assaults in an try and garner sympathy and safe his 2022 re-election
George is accused him of working hand in hand together with his former chief of employees, Taral Patel, who was employed as a advisor for George’s re-election marketing campaign in 2022.
Proof from the obtained warrant means that Patel was the one leaving the racist feedback – all with permission from the decide.
Patel allegedly used the identical tactic in his personal marketing campaign towards Andy Meyers for a county commissioner seat.
‘The allegations are that George and Taral Patel coordinated the racist messages that had been principally posted throughout his marketing campaign to primarily make KP George a sufferer, for the aim of clearly successful a political race,’ Meyers informed KHOU 11.
‘They did this for his or her private acquire which I believe is reprehensible.’
George is a U.S. citizen however was born in India.
He was first elected as a county decide in 2018 and have become the primary particular person of shade to ever function a decide in Fort Bend.
The allegations towards the decide solely got here to gentle when an investigation into Patel was carried out by the Fort Bend County District Lawyer’s workplace for his personal suspected crimes.
George is accused him of working hand in hand together with his former chief of employees, Taral Patel (pictured) , who was employed as a advisor for George’s re-election marketing campaign in 2022
A tweet from 2020 reveals George posting a collage of the racist feedback he obtained – some from the alias ‘Antonio Scalywag’
Patel additionally claimed that he was the goal of the identical assaults. Many of the feedback on his social media had been directed at South Asians, calling them terrorists. Some additionally made enjoyable of Hinduism.
The posts had been beneath the acquainted title of Antonio Scalywag.
One of many feedback learn: ‘Was he even born right here? Most likely communist’
One other said: ‘… I’m with Meyers ALL THE WAY… not like Patel and his followers who worship Monkey and Elephant.’
The identical alias account was attacking Meyers on-line earlier than Patel even launched his marketing campaign towards him.
The investigator on the case, Evett Kelly, decided that the alias account was hooked up to an related e-mail deal with and cellphone variety of Patel, KHOU 11 reported.
In October of 2022, the Antonio Scalywag profile up to date its profile image from an IP deal with that was additionally related to Patel.
He was arrested in June on a felony cost of on-line misrepresentation for his function within the hoax, based on Click on 2 Houston.
George was indicted on a Class A misdemeanor
Patel allegedly used the identical tactic in his personal marketing campaign for a county commissioner seat
Based on the warrant, George issued a press launch claiming he was the goal of racist assaults on social media.
However mobile phone data from Patel included a dialog with the contact title KP George by which they mentioned the press launch and the screenshots earlier than Patel requested him to approve the discharge.
George was booked into Fort Bend County Jail on Thursday and launched on a $1,000 bond.
Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Constable Chad Norvell instructed the decide step down, calling the state of affairs ‘deeply embarrassing,’ based on Click on 2 Houston.
The commissioner of the identical precinct, Vincent Morales, additionally known as for the decide to resign.
However George maintains his innocence and has no plans to step down.
In a press release, George stated he’s ‘dissatisfied on the fees’
He claimed in a press release on Thursday that his focus stays solely on serving the residents of the county, based on KHOU 11.
‘Though I’m dissatisfied by the fees introduced towards me, I’m assured that when all of the details are introduced, justice will prevail,’ the assertion learn.
‘On this nation, you’re harmless till confirmed responsible, and I totally intend to show my innocence in court docket.
‘I look ahead to clearing my title and persevering with the vital work entrusted to me by the voters.’
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