Democrat Commissioner Candidate, Ex-Biden Appointee Arrested For Posting Racist Comments About Himself Online
(Left) Talal Patel, 30. (Photo by Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office) / (Right) AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 20: The Texas State Capitol is pictured on the first day of the Third Special Session of the 87th Legislature on September 20, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tamir Khalifa/Getty Images)
OAN’s Brooke Mallory Tuesday, June 18, 2024 11:02 AM
A Democrat who ran for county commissioner in Texas and was a White House appointee from former President Biden has been arrested and accused of setting up fake social media accounts to make racist comments about himself in an attempt to disparage supporters of his Republican opponent.
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Following an investigation launched by incumbent Andy Myers, Talal Patel, 30, a candidate for county commissioner in Fort Bend County’s 3rd Congressional District outside Houston, was detained last week on suspicion of online impersonation.
The Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation after Patel shared a lengthy meta (Facebook) post in September that portrayed herself and her family as victims of a racist smear campaign waged by supporters of her Republican opponent.
Beneath the post was a collage of more than 10 racist comments and messages he claimed to have received during his election campaign, including using derogatory and racist terms such as “monkey” and “subhuman”, as well as making disparaging remarks about his Hindu religious beliefs.
Patel was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve on the White House Committee on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Affairs and the White House Liaison Office, according to her campaign website. She previously worked in the Public Health Division of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
“These hateful images (a small sample attached here) were born out of deep and false fears stoked by people like former President Donald Trump and today’s radical Republican fears that immigrants are out to ‘take our jobs’ and hurt our communities,” Patel said in an online post.
according to ABC 13, Myers became suspicious when he recognised one of the names in the collage, “Antonio Scallywag”, as someone who had previously attacked him online, and called for an investigation into Patel’s accusations.
Investigators sent subpoenas to Facebook and Google to obtain account details for user profiles that they could trace directly to Patel, including details such as addresses, phone numbers and bank card numbers.
The Texas Rangers took Patel into custody Wednesday on suspicion of internet impersonation, a Class 3 felony, and identity theft, a Class A misdemeanor.
“He was held briefly in the Fort Bend County Jail and then posted bail Thursday morning, $20,000 on the felony charge and $2,500 on the misdemeanor charge. His next court appearance is July 22.” New York Post report.
The campaign website further said Patel was selected by Biden to work in the White House Liaison Office, focusing on housing, urban development and disaster resilience issues.
He was also a “leading member” of WHAANHPIC, according to its website.
Patel’s court appearance is currently scheduled for July 22.and.
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Democrat Commissioner Candidate, Ex-Biden Appointee Arrested For Posting Racist Comments About Himself Online
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 11:02 AM
A Democrat who ran for county commissioner in Texas and was a White House appointee from former President Biden has been arrested and accused of setting up fake social media accounts to make racist comments about himself in an attempt to disparage supporters of his Republican opponent.
advertisement
Following an investigation launched by incumbent Andy Myers, Talal Patel, 30, a candidate for county commissioner in Fort Bend County’s 3rd Congressional District outside Houston, was detained last week on suspicion of online impersonation.
The Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation after Patel shared a lengthy meta (Facebook) post in September that portrayed herself and her family as victims of a racist smear campaign waged by supporters of her Republican opponent.
Beneath the post was a collage of more than 10 racist comments and messages he claimed to have received during his election campaign, including using derogatory and racist terms such as “monkey” and “subhuman”, as well as making disparaging remarks about his Hindu religious beliefs.
Patel was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve on the White House Committee on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Affairs and the White House Liaison Office, according to her campaign website. She previously worked in the Public Health Division of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
according to ABC 13, Myers became suspicious when he recognised one of the names in the collage, “Antonio Scallywag”, as someone who had previously attacked him online, and called for an investigation into Patel’s accusations.
Investigators sent subpoenas to Facebook and Google to obtain account details for user profiles that they could trace directly to Patel, including details such as addresses, phone numbers and bank card numbers.
The Texas Rangers took Patel into custody Wednesday on suspicion of internet impersonation, a Class 3 felony, and identity theft, a Class A misdemeanor.
The campaign website further said Patel was selected by Biden to work in the White House Liaison Office, focusing on housing, urban development and disaster resilience issues.
He was also a “leading member” of WHAANHPIC, according to its website.
Patel’s court appearance is currently scheduled for July 22.and.
Stay up to date! Receive the latest news directly in your email for free. Sign up here: https://www.oann.com/alerts
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