A Democratic candidate running for Fort Bend County, Texas’ 3rd District commissioner is facing charges of making false social media posts and racist comments directed at himself.
Republican incumbent Commissioner Andy Myers asked the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office to open an investigation in October into social media posts aimed at his opponent, Talal Patel. ABC13 reported.
Myers called for the investigation after Patel posted a statement in September with screenshots of racist comments. Many of the usernames were redacted, but Myers said he recognised an account named “Antonio Scallywag” as someone who had previously attacked him.
Investigators found that the fake accounts were using photos of other people and issued subpoenas to Facebook and Google, obtaining data that matched Patel’s personal information, including her address, phone number, Texas driver’s license number and bank card numbers, the report said.
in His online posts Patel argued in September that the comments were an example of “deep-rooted, misguided fears” within the Republican Party.
Patel was arrested last Wednesday on suspicion of online impersonation, a third-degree felony, and identity fraud, a class A misdemeanor.
His bail was set at $20,000 for the felony and $2,500 for the misdemeanor. He was released from the county jail early Thursday morning and is scheduled to appear in court on July 22, ABC13 reports.
Fort Bend County Republican Chairman Bobby Eberle It said in a statement He said the arrest was “deeply disturbing.”
“Ms. Patel (like her former boss) has made widely reported allegations that racist posts were made against her on social media,” Eberle said in a statement, linking Ms. Patel to actor Jussie Smollett.
Eberle said Fort Bend County residents deserve better than Patel’s actions.
“All those who value integrity and accountability in politics, whether Republican or Democrat, should unequivocally condemn these tactics,” he said.
ABC 13 noted Patel did not respond to a request for comment.
