Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong wants a court to decide if he should remain in office

RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong asks a court to decide whether he should remain in office.

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On Monday, Wong said he filed a lawsuit against County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson after she said he should go. Wong said he has no plans to take advice from her.

"We're sailing in uncharted waters here," Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said. "There is no clear legal precedent for what to do in these very unique cases."

Wong was appointed after Judge KP George was suspended. The disgraced judge was convicted of stealing campaign funds.

However, the suspension was tied to a different civil matter. Last month, the civil case was dropped.

Smith-Lawson told commissioners that meant the judge's seat was vacated. Wong wants a judge to decide whether he should stay.

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

"We're in a situation where I think at the end of the day, it'll be the Texas Supreme Court who will be deciding who is right," Jones explained.

The nearly 60-page lawsuit takes aim at the county attorney. In it is an email Smith-Lawson sent asking staff to start the off-boarding process after the civil case ended.

By doing so, Wong said she wanted his badge revoked and county systems shut down. The county attorney sent ABC13 a statement saying in part:

"This is a professional bullying tactic disguised in a lawsuit. I am exercising the duties of this office which is to inform the members of the court and employees of information that would create legal exposure, which includes someone occupying an office without clear legal authority to do so."

Wong said he's not using any taxpayer funds for his lawsuit. However, the Smith-Lawson said taxpayer money will be used for the county to defend itself.

Experts said taxpayer money shouldn't be neighbors' only concern. Jones said if Wong continues to participate in meetings and he loses in court, it could have an impact after he's gone.

"Any decisions made by the three republicans in commissioners court could be null in void if at a later time the Texas Supreme Court if the Texas Supreme Court rules that Daniel Wong was in the office illegally," Jones said.

ABC13 tried to talk to Wong on Monday. Monday morning, his office released an email saying a news conference would take place.

Then, it was canceled. Eyewitness News was told he'll speak Thursday ahead of commissioners' court.

ABC13 asked Wong's spokesperson if he plans to attend the meeting or wait until the legal system plays out. He told ABC13 that Wong will be there Thursday as he waits for the courts to make a decision.