Photo: FRANCOIS PICARD / AFP / Getty Images
Local officials are in a legal grey area concerning capmaign spending. Our TV partner Channel 2 reports Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Fort Bend County Judge KP George have spent thousands in campaign funds on criminal defense attorneys. The practice, which is legally questionable, was uncovered in recent finance reports that show both judges allocated significant amounts toward legal fees.
Filings reveal Hidalgo paid defense attorney Cordt Akers $18,500 after three of her senior staffers were indicted over an $11 million county outreach contract.
KP George’s records show $100,000 in legal expenses, with $85,000 going to Rusty Hardin and Associates and $15,000 to Daniel Lazarine. George is currently facing a misdemeanor charge related to the criminal misrepresentation of identity case involving his former chief of staff, Taral Patel.