Georgia State Representative Dexter L. Sharper faces charges for allegedly scamming the unemployment system during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Sharper is accused of fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits while holding elected office and receiving income from other sources.
"While many of his constituents and fellow citizens were losing jobs and desperately needed unemployment assistance during the pandemic, Representative Sharper allegedly pretended to be out of work to collect a share of unemployment benefits for himself," U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The claims, which amounted to $13,825, were made despite Sharper's income from his party rental business, his role as a state representative, and work as a musician.
The investigation, which involves other state officials previously charged with similar fraud, is a cooperative effort between various federal and local agencies. Among them, the Georgia Office of the State Inspector General and the FBI have been active in exposing the misuse of funds allocated for pandemic relief. Inspector General Nigel Lange, highlighted the gravity of the situation by stating that, "these charges point to some disgraceful conduct at the highest level, which should shock and repulse every citizen," as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis echoed the sentiment of public trust violation, making it clear that, "Nobody is above the law, including elected officials," as mentioned in the same press release. Sharper's alleged misdeeds are said to span over a year, with weekly claims that contradicted his actual employment status. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford leads the prosecution of this case, which adds to the actions of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force aimed at cracking down on pandemic-related fraud.
Two other representatives, Karen L. Bennett and Sharon Henderson, were previously charged with related fraudulent activities. Bennett, having pleaded guilty to the receipt of $13,940 in unemployment benefits, and Henderson who faces indictment on theft of government funds and making false statements. As the judicial process moves forward, Sharper, who has been arraigned, remains innocent until proven guilty as per the law.
Members of the public with any information on attempted fraud involving COVID-19 assistance can report it through the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF). The Task Force continues to urge citizens to come forward with any pertinent details that could assist in their investigative efforts.
