Georgia state legislator Sharon Henderson, a Democrat, found herself in legal trouble on Monday morning as she faced arrest and charges of defrauding the federal government.
The indictment against Henderson stems from allegations of COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud, a serious accusation that has captured public attention.
According to Gateway Pundit, a federal grand jury has charged Henderson with two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements. The Department of Justice (DOJ) detailed that in June 2020, while campaigning for a seat in the Georgia House, Henderson allegedly applied for federal pandemic unemployment benefits, falsely claiming her employment with Henry County Schools.
Despite having worked as a substitute teacher for only five days in 2018, Henderson purportedly stated she was employed by the school system throughout 2019 and into March 2020. Her application included claims of possessing paystubs from 2019 and that her workplace had closed due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
The allegations further assert that Henderson submitted weekly certifications claiming she could not access her workplace due to a COVID-19 quarantine. Notably, eight such certifications were reportedly filed in June 2021, after she had assumed her role as the state representative for District 113, covering parts of western Newton County and Covington, Georgia.
As a result of these alleged falsehoods, Henderson is accused of unlawfully collecting $17,811 in pandemic unemployment benefits.
United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg expressed his dismay at the situation, stating, It is shocking that a public official would allegedly lie to profit from an emergency program designed to help suffering community members. He emphasized that politicians who breach public trust and exploit programs intended for the needy will face accountability.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown echoed these sentiments, highlighting the gravity of the allegations. Sharon Henderson allegedly chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds meant to help those in need, some in her own Georgia House district, Brown remarked. He reaffirmed the FBI's commitment to pursuing individuals who exploit federal programs meant to assist those genuinely in need.
Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent in Charge of the Southeast Region for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, underscored the importance of investigating fraud within unemployment insurance programs. He assured that collaboration with law enforcement partners would continue to aggressively address such allegations.
Georgia State Inspector General Nigel Lange also weighed in, emphasizing that no one, including elected officials, is above the law. This indictment should send a clear message that theft of government funds intended for qualified citizens will not be tolerated, Lange stated, expressing appreciation for the cooperative efforts of state and federal partners in bringing the case forward for prosecution.
The unfolding legal proceedings against Henderson raise significant questions about integrity and accountability among public officials. As the case progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards, particularly in times of crisis when public trust is paramount.
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