Candidate for Fort Bend County Commissioner created online persona, racist attacks on opponents and himself

HOUSTON – In Fort Bend County, investigators say online identity theft in a key political race led to the handcuffing of a politician seen by many in Democratic circles as an up-and-coming candidate.

Now the question is “what’s next?” after Democrat Taral Patel was arrested Wednesday on charges of third-degree online identity fraud and a Class A misdemeanor for false identity.

The arrest came weeks after Patel secured the Democratic nomination for county commissioner for the third district.

“This does not preclude the candidate from continuing to run for the office, that position,” said Renea Hicks, an election attorney, about Patel’s arrest and its impact on his candidacy.

Investigators say Patel impersonated someone other than himself online, a violation of the Texas Penal Code if done without the appropriate consent of the perpetrator and with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten a person as defined by law.

Legal documents obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates show that the identity thefts occurred through an account Patel allegedly created under a different identity, where he attacked candidates – including racist attacks on himself – or claimed to be working with them. The use of this account occurred online starting in October 2022 and continued until May of this year.

Authorities said a statement released by Patel himself played a key role in the investigation.

In September 2023, Patel released the following statement after claiming he had received racist messages on social media.

“As your Democratic candidate for County Commissioner, I am always open to criticism of my policy positions and stances on issues. However, when supporters of my Republican opponents choose to hurl #racist, #anti-immigrant, #hinduphobic or otherwise abhorrent slurs at my family, my faith community, my colleagues and me, that crosses a line. Fort Bend County’s diversity has made us all stronger, and these hateful images, a small selection of which are attached here, stem from a deep and misguided fear – stoked by the likes of former President Donald Trump and today’s extremist fear in the Republican Party that immigrants are out to ‘take their jobs’ and harm our own communities.”

The posts Patel responded to are believed to be related to the investigation that put him behind bars.

Investigators say the crimes occurred primarily on Facebook. According to court documents, grand jury subpoenas were issued to Meta Platforms, Google, Comcast, T-Mobile and JP Morgan Chase Bank to track down the information and tie it to Patel.

Patel has not yet made a comment to KPRC 2 Investigates since his arrest, so his stance on the November election is unclear.

If Patel were to withdraw his candidacy on his own because of the arrest, Democrats in Fort Bend County would have to focus on a candidate they can hand-assign, according to several election lawyers we spoke with on Thursday.

“The question would be whether the Fort Bend County Democrats Board of Directors has the authority to nominate a successor in the event of this candidate’s withdrawal. The short answer is no,” Hicks said.

Patel returned to run in Fort Bend County after serving in President Joe Biden’s administration and studying law in the Washington, D.C. area.

Before this incident, Patel was the first Chief of Staff to District Judge KP George. George released the following statement on Thursday:

“As a public official, I address the recent events involving a former employee with deep concern. Given the seriousness of the situation, I stress the critical importance of adhering to the principles of due process and an impartial investigation. I trust that this case will be investigated without bias. As I await further information, I reiterate my commitment to justice and accountability. I look forward to fully understanding the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident.”

Longtime Republican incumbent Andy Meyers did not comment on Patel’s arrest, saying the matter concerns the district attorney’s office and the Rangers.

Instead, Meyers made it clear that he is focused on continuing to serve the citizens of Fort Bend County through “mobility projects, repairing and replacing roads in our oldest neighborhoods, erosion control on the Brazos Ricer, flood control, and strengthening the electrical grid.”