Suspended Georgia lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID-19 unemployment fraud

Georgia Legislature

July 30th, 2026

A woman in a black dress looks to her left — Rep. Sharon Henderson, D-Covington, listens to Gov. Brian Kemp speak during the State of the State speech, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

State Rep. Sharon Henderson pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of making false statements to fraudulently obtain pandemic-era unemployment assistance payments.

Henderson, a Covington Democrat, fraudulently collected about $17,800 of COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits due to false statements in her application and weekly certifications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

The transgressions occurred both in 2020 when Henderson was a candidate, and in 2021 after she’d been sworn in.

Henderson was indicted in December, and Gov. Brian Kemp suspended her from office in January. Her House District 113 seat remains empty.

“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,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg in a press release. “Her prosecution and conviction demonstrate that elected officials who enrich themselves through fraud will be held accountable for violating the public’s trust.”

Henderson’s sentencing is scheduled for November.

Henderson is third Georgia lawmaker to plead guilty to unemployment fraud

Two other Georgia lawmakers pleaded guilty to similar COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud charges this year. Former state Rep. Dexter Sharper, a Valdosta Democrat, pleaded guilty and resigned in March. Former state Rep. Karen Bennett, a Stone Mountain Democrat, pleaded guilty and resigned in January. Alvin Payton filled Sharper’s seat, and Venola Mason filled Bennett’s seat in special elections.

“Pandemic relief programs were created to help Americans facing genuine hardship — not to enrich those willing to lie for personal gain,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, in the press release. “When an elected official abuses taxpayer-funded programs through fraud, it undermines public confidence in both government institutions and the integrity of public service.”

“The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone who exploits federal programs for personal benefit,” he added.