FORT BEND COUNTY, Tx – A legal dispute over who has the authority to lead Fort Bend County is disrupting Commissioners Court and raising questions about whether actions taken during recent meetings could eventually be invalidated.
The controversy stems from a civil lawsuit filed against then-Fort Bend County Judge KP George. After George was suspended, visiting Galveston County Judge Jeth Jones appointed Daniel Wong to temporarily perform the duties of county judge.
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That underlying lawsuit was later dismissed, prompting some county officials and residents to argue that Wong’s appointment should also be void.
Attorneys for the parties involved in the original lawsuit appeared before Jones at Fort Bend County District Court on Thursday. The attorney representing the resident who filed the case argued that Wong’s appointment is invalid because the court lacked jurisdiction over the underlying lawsuit from the beginning.
Wong’s attorneys maintain that the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court subsequently approved his appointment through the end of the year. They told KPRC 2 that Wong has the authority to preside over Commissioners Court meetings and that residents should not be concerned about county business having to be redone.
However, Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson argues Wong’s temporary appointment expired June 17.
Democratic commissioners have stopped attending Commissioners Court meetings amid the dispute. Commissioner Dexter McCoy accused Wong and the court’s Republican commissioners of preventing Democrats from participating by insisting they attend meetings he believes are not legally authorized.
“Mr. Wong and our Republican colleagues are blocking our ability to participate in Commissioners Court by insisting we break the law,” McCoy said in a statement. “The county attorney has provided clear legal guidance that Mr. Wong does not have authority to perform the duties of county judge.”
McCoy said routine county responsibilities—including paving roads and paying bills—should not become partisan issues. He argued that the four elected commissioners could continue conducting county business without Wong while Wong seeks another court order affirming his temporary appointment.
“All county business could proceed without his participation, while he awaits a new court order affirming his temporary appointment, as there are four lawfully elected and authorized commissioners who can conduct the people’s business,” McCoy said.
Residents also expressed frustration over the dispute during a Commissioners Court meeting.
“It is very frustrating to watch you impersonate a county judge,” resident Anna Lykoudis said during public comment. “KP George is still the county judge. Although he’s suspended, he’s still the county judge. We cannot have two county judges. Earn the seat. Don’t steal it.”
Political experts told KPRC 2 the Texas Supreme Court may ultimately have to determine whether Wong’s appointment is valid. They said that if the court finds Wong lacked the legal authority to serve, actions taken during Commissioners Court meetings under his leadership could potentially be declared void.
Jones did not issue a decision following Thursday’s hearing.