Sharon Henderson, a suspended member of the Georgia House of Representatives, pled guilty on July 30 in federal court to making false statements to obtain thousands of dollars in emergency pandemic-era unemployment assistance payments.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, “While running for and holding political office, Representative Henderson was fleecing taxpayers, lying to steal money from federal programs intended to help people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Her prosecution and conviction demonstrate that elected officials who enrich themselves through fraud will be held accountable for violating the public’s trust.”
Nigel Lange, Inspector General for the State of Georgia, said, “Sharon Henderson, while holding elected office in the Georgia House of Representatives, illegally obtained taxpayer-funded unemployment benefits that were intended to provide financial assistance to workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Our office remains committed to investigating and holding accountable those who misuse public funds and defraud American taxpayers.” Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor, added: “Sharon Henderson was elected to serve the people of Georgia—not steal from them. By exploiting her position for personal gain, she violated the public’s trust and undermined the integrity of our institutions. Public officials who betray the American people and abuse their power for personal benefit will be held fully accountable for their despicable actions. No one is above the law. My office will aggressively investigate those who dare to exploit public trust and defraud the American people.”
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg—who serves as United States Attorney for a district covering 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs and borders with Alabama and the Carolinas—Henderson applied for federal pandemic unemployment benefits in June 2020 while a candidate for state office by falsely claiming recent employment with Henry County Schools despite not having worked there since 2018 except as a substitute teacher for five days; substitute teachers were not eligible for such benefits according to an acknowledgment she signed at that time, according to the official website. She submitted fraudulent weekly certifications into June 2021 after being sworn into office as state representative.
Henderson collected $17,811 through these false statements on her application and certifications regarding her employment status during COVID-19-related closures affecting District 113 covering western Newton County and part of Covington.
Two other former Georgia State Representatives have also been convicted on similar charges: Karen L. Bennett pled guilty on January 21 this year after collecting $13,940; Dexter L. Sharper pled guilty March 11 after collecting $13,825.
Sentencing is scheduled before U.S District Judge Michael L Brown on November 3 at 10:00 a.m.