3 Democratic Georgia state reps charged with COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud

Sharon Henderson

Three Georgia state representatives, all Democrats, are charged with COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud. Specifically, this is the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA benefits, and the three got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Sharon Henderson (District 113, Covington) was indicted last December on two counts of theft of government funds along with ten counts of making a false statement [aka lying]. Henderson is alleged to have grabbed $17,811 by claiming unemployment while she was working, including as a substitute teacher, and while running for office. She pleaded not guilty and was suspended from office.

Karen L. Bennett (District 94, Stone Mountain) was charged in early January of this year and pleaded guilty to making false statements. In her case, she allegedly collected about $13,940 while serving as a state representative while also claiming other employment/quarantine issues [aka double-dipping and fraud]. She resigned before the charges and her sentencing is scheduled for April this year.

Karen L. Bennett

Dexter L. Sharper (District 177, Valdosta) was charged in late January of this year while making false statements. Sharper, who thought he was sharper than the law, pocketed nearly $14,000 [somewhere between $13,825 and $13,940] while he was being paid as a state representative--a very dull-witted thing to do. He was also getting paid as a musician. He resigned this month and pleaded guilty soon after that. His sentencing is scheduled for July this year.

The cases [above] involve false statements to obtain federal pandemic unemployment benefits in 2020 to 2021 all while the three were getting paid from their legislative roles or other work.

The trio was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia as part of broader efforts to address pandemic relief fraud. Details come from official DOJ press releases and court updates.

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