A third Georgia lawmaker has been accused of lying to collect federal unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal prosecutors announced Friday they were charging state Rep. Dexter Sharper, a Valdosta Democrat, with making false statements to collect $13,825 in unemployment benefits. It’s the latest example of a growing wave of charges against Georgia lawmakers that U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg warned of in December.
Prosecutors allege Sharper, who represents a South Georgia district, indicated in his application for benefits that he was employed only by his party rental business but hadn’t worked there since March 13, 2020. He submitted 38 weekly certifications saying he was not earning money and was looking for work. Prosecutors said in reality, he was earning money from two to three jobs per week.
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