Does Fort Bend County have a judge? It depends on who you ask

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A dispute over who has the legal authority to serve as Fort Bend County's acting county judge disrupted a commissioners court meeting on Tuesday, prompting two commissioners to walk out and raising questions about the validity of the meeting's actions.

Daniel Wong, who has served as interim county judge since April following the suspension of County Judge KP George, presided over the meeting despite objections from Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson.

Smith-Lawson argued Wong's appointment ended June 17, when suspended County Judge KP George's civil lawsuit that led to Wong's temporary appointment was dismissed.

"It was temporary pending trial. There is no trial. The matter is closed," Smith-Lawson said during the meeting.

A motion to remove Wong from presiding failed in a vote. Commissioners Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy then left the meeting, arguing the court no longer had a legal quorum because they do not recognize Wong as acting county judge. Prestage and McCoy said Wong's vote left them with just two, not three votes.

"There is no legal quorum, and they do not have a quorum to conduct business," McCoy said.

Wong and his legal team maintain he can continue serving under the Texas Constitution's holdover provision, which they say allows public officials to remain in office until a qualified successor is appointed.

"And I continue doing the job I was appointed to do, serving the Fort Bend County constituency," Wong said.

The disagreement also prevented commissioners from entering closed executive session, leaving several agenda items unresolved.

Prestage and McCoy said they are exploring legal action to challenge Wong's authority, while Wong's attorneys said they are prepared to defend his position in court.

READ MORE: Fort Bend County Interim Judge Daniel Wong fights back against claims he is no longer county judge