NEW: Democrat Lawmaker Indicted For Alleged COVID-19 Assistance Fraud

Georgia State Representative Dexter Sharper is being charged with making false statements to obtain emergency pandemic unemployment assistance. The announcement makes Sharper the third Georgia Democrat to be indicted in connection with with alleged COVID-19 pandemic assistance fraud.

Sharper, who represents parts of Lowndes County in Georgia’s House District 177, allegedly collected $13,825 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

According to federal prosecutors, Sharper applied for unemployment benefits in April 2020, claiming he had not worked at his business, Dexter Sharper Party Rental, since March 13, 2020. Over the following year until May 2021, he submitted 38 weekly certifications stating he had not worked, earned no wages, was seeking employment, and had not refused work opportunities.

However, investigators found that Sharper was employed in multiple roles during this period. He received his legislative salary of approximately $17,000 per year, continued operating his party rental business, and worked as a substitute teacher for Lowndes County Schools, which earned additional income.

Records from the Georgia Department of Labor and other sources confirmed he earned money from at least two, and sometimes three, jobs each week while claiming unemployment, prosecutors said.

Sharper, 54, had an arraignment hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard in Atlanta on Friday. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with involvement from the FBI Atlanta Field Office and the Georgia Office of the State Inspector General, the Justice Department said in a press release.

“The allegations that Representative Sharper exploited his position for personal gain are disgraceful. He allegedly abused a program that was intended to provide relief to those in need during a time of national crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.

Georgia State Rep. Dexter Sharper
Photo: Facebook

Sharper has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2017 after first being elected to the Valdosta-centered district in 2016.

Prior to his political career, Sharper owned and operated Dexter Sharper Party Rental, a business providing event services. He has also worked in education as a substitute teacher.

Sharper’s case marks the third instance of a Georgia state lawmaker facing similar charges related to pandemic unemployment fraud. Former Rep. Karen Bennett, a fellow Democrat who left office in January, pleaded guilty last week to making false statements in order to obtain COVID-19 unemployment assistance.

Rep. Sharon Henderson, also a Democrat, was indicted back in December on charges of theft of government funds and making false statements. She was later suspended at the direction of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

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