Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong's first court meeting brings frustration from some

RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong presided over his first commissioners court meeting, which prompted protestors to voice their frustration.

The words of displeasure outside of the historic courthouse in Fort Bend County were a sign of what was to come for Thursday's commissioners court meeting.

"Wrong Daniel Wong," Vanessa Luna's sign read. "Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!"

Around 10 people protested an item on the court agenda. It wasn't tied to a project, spending, or ordinance, but the swearing-in of a new county judge.

"They're preempting our vote by putting in a candidate that hasn't been duly elected and is running for the exact position," Kevin Williams said.

It's frustration that went from the courthouse steps to the chamber.

"I'm very upset that you would allow yourself to be pushed into this position knowing that this is wrong," Luna said. "Let us vote for you."

In March, Daniel Wong became the Republican nominee for judge. He's on the November ballot, but he doesn't have to wait. Two weeks ago, a judge appointed Wong to the position of county judge.

He replaced KP George. Last month, he was convicted of felony money laundering.

George wasn't removed because of that. He was suspended because of a separate civil case.

It's not just Wong's appointment that upset neighbors, but who he named to his staff. Wong appointed congressional candidate Trever Nehls as his chief of staff.

On Thursday, Nehls' Democratic opponent, Marquette Greene-Scott, attended the meeting.

"He's a chief of staff," Greene-Scott explained. "So, he's going to get some experience, and that's not fair because he wasn't voted for. Well, he wasn't, but his boss voted on. He was appointed, and then he was appointed."

We've tried to talk to Wong since he was sworn in, including at the meeting, but he's declined. His spokesperson, Bobby Eberle, defended Nehls' appointment.

"What he looked for from the chief of staff position is someone who can lead and someone who also has government experience," Eberle explained. "That combination right there in the timeframe we were given, Trever was an obvious choice."

The choice may have been obvious to them, but Wong's staff says his appointment as judge even caught him by surprise. Now that he's in office, they said he's focused on the budget and hurricane season.

Although some neighbors wish his focus were on November, and not acting in the role months early.

"How many more wrongs are we going to allow this man?" Luna said. "You can't do that. That's the kind of stuff that's a domino effect in the wrong way."

As for George, he wasn't at today's meeting, but he's still getting paid. Commissioners voted to give him more than $52,000 through June.

The county attorney said it was necessary because his suspension didn't say whether he was still allowed to get paid.

RELATED: Daniel Wong sworn in as acting Fort Bend County Judge amid pushback from opponents