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Missouri City George being investigated for participation in fake hate scheme leaders tout By Ken Fountain George that could provide ev- to face any charges. who is facing Patel in the formation garnered in the idence that George directed Patel is currently the race for the seat he has held search of social media and Bend County Judge or had knowledge that his Democratic candidate for for nearly three decades, cell phone records of Patel 'championship' KPFort George, the county’s top former chief of staff, Taral the upcoming election has called on George to after his was was arrested elected official, is being in- Patel, was posting the rac- in the Precinct 3 seat on resign in light of the new and charged in June. mindset at vestigated for participating ist messages under a false Commissioners Court. He allegations against him. A According to the affidavit, in a social media campaign identity, “Antonio Scalawag.” was set to be arraigned on Republican long seen as the those records showed that a former employee’s A spokesperson for the Monday on four felony counts most conservative member Patel, under the pseudonym annual address involving posting of false racist mes- prosecutor’s office confirmed of online impersonation af- of Commissioners Court, “Antonio Scalywag” using a KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Using a basketball theme, Missouri City leaders last week told a capacity audience of Fort Bend movers and shakers last week that the city is poised for championship status during the annual State of the City of Missouri City address. In keeping with these sorts of events in recent years, Thursday’s event at the Houston Knayara Catholic Community Center was a multimedia affair, with Mayor Robin Elackatt giving his usual standup comedy act before an appreciative crowd, and outgoing District 3 Council member Anthony Moroulis bidding an emotional farewell. Moroulis is term-limited and will not be seeking reelection next year. The city-owned Quail Valley City Centre, site of last year’s event, is shuttered for repairs and renovations following Hurricane Beryl. The event was hosted by the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce. Elackatt, sporting a Michael Jordan jersey and coming on stage with a basketball, began the ceremonies with an extended riff roasting other elected officials in the audience. Among them was Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman, who laughed appreciably as Elackatt teased him about how Missouri City, unlike its larger neighbor, did not spend extra municipal dollars on a contract to clear up debris from Beryl. And unlike last year’s event, in which Elackatt and City Manager Angel Jones emphasized how the city government was rebounding after several years of turmoil, this year the energy from the pair was completely focused on the positive. “Our journey from vision to reality is a testament to the collective effort of our city’s remarkable team and resilient spirt of our residents,” Elackatt said. In his own remarks, Moroulis paid tribute to his father, who recently died, and thanked his fellow Council members and city staff for their work during his tenure on the Council. Jones came on stage dancing to join Elackatt for their tag-team-style address. Each of the other Council members and municipal department heads had their own time in the spotlight, either in person or by video remarks.
SEE ELACKATT PAGE 5
Missouri City Maor Robin Elackatt, holding a basketball, pumps up the excitement as he emcees the annual State of the City of Missouri City event last week. Photo by Ken Fountain
sages during George’s 2022 reelection campaign. The Public Integrity Division of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday executed a search warrant for cellular devices used by
Monday (the Fort Bend Star’s print deadline) that George is not presently charged with a crime. In a written statement released Friday afternoon, George bemoaned the way the search warrant was executed and said he does not expect
ter having been arraigned September 13 on four related misdemeanor counts of online misrepresentation of identity. But the arraignment was reset to October 14. Incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers,
Meyers has often served as foil to George, a Democrat. In an affidavit attached to the search warrant issued last week, Texas Ranger Louis Caltzontzint writes that the investigation of George stemmed from in-
photo of an actual Fort Bend County resident, Patrick Ernst, to post racist comments on September 18 and September 26, 2022, when
SEE GEORGE PAGE 2
Fall in Fort Bend
W
hile the sizzling temperatures this weekend didn’t exactly spell the turn of the season, hundreds of area residents turned out Saturday for two events marking the Fall Equinox - Sugar Land’s Fall Fest at Sugar Land Town Square and the OctoberFest at Missouri City’s Quail Valley City Centre. See more photos on Page 3.
Akshay Gupta and her daughter Ilesha, 2, check out the fall decorations on display. Photo by Ken Fountain
Manuel to serve as Grand Marshal of Fort Bend County Fair Parade Community Reports Fort Bend County’s largest and longest-running entertainment festival, the Fort Bend County Fair, officially kicks off this weekend after the conclusion of the everpopular BBQ Cookoff held September 20-21. Fort Bend County offices and libraries will be closed on Friday for Fair Day. Three-time American Olympian Simone Manuel of Sugar Land will serve as Grand Marshal of the Fort Bend County Fair Parade, which will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse
in Richmond and make its way west down Highway 90A to Jennetta Street in Rosenberg. Manuel graduated from Austin High School and began her competitive swimming journey in Fort Bend County. She has won seven Olympic medals (two gold, four silver, 1 bronze) in her career. Most recently, in August at the Paris Olympics, Simone won silver in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay and women’s 4x200m freestyle relay. “We are proud to be able to celebrate Simone’s accomplishments as an athlete and as a person who represents
Fort Bend County at an international level. We are so proud to have her be part of our big day and give her the honor of leading our parade. We cheered for her as she competed in Paris and now we cheer for her along our parade route” said 2024 Fort Bend County Fair President Alicia Casias said in a news release. The Fair’s mission is “Benefiting Youth, Promoting Agriculture, Supporting Education.” The fair association has awarded more than $250,000 this year to Fort Bend County students. Through October 6, artists representing the breadth of
the Texas music scene, from traditional country and Tejano genres, will take the main stage of the event at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg. “Our entertainment lineup is packed with talent. We have artists making their debuts and a few returning to our Fair, but it provides music for all to enjoy,” Casias said. Opening weekend includes a lineup of headliners making their fair debuts. September 27’s headline will be Drake Milligan,
SEE COUNTY FAIR PAGE 2
Three-time American Olympian Simone Manuel of Sugar Land will serve as Grand Marshal of the Fort Bend County Fair Parade on Friday. Photo by SydG via Fort Bend County Fair Association