Georgia Lawmaker Arrested, Charged with $17K Pandemic Unemployment Fraud

Federal authorities have arrested State Rep. Sharon Henderson on charges that she fraudulently obtained more than $17,800 in federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Henderson, a Covington Democrat, has been indicted on two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements, prosecutors announced Monday.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Henderson applied for aid while campaigning for her current House seat, claiming she had worked for the Henry County School System through March 2020 and lost income due to COVID-19. Officials say her claim was false and that her 2018 substitute teacher agreement clearly stated she was not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Investigators allege Henderson filed weekly certifications asserting she was unable to work because of quarantine—even submitting eight of them in June 2021 after being sworn in as a state representative for District 113.

Federal prosecutors condemned the alleged scheme. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said it was “shocking” that a public official would lie to profit from emergency aid meant for struggling families. FBI Atlanta’s Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said Henderson “chose greed over compassion.”

Henderson is scheduled to appear in federal court Monday afternoon, where she is expected to plead not guilty.