Georgia State Rep Dexter L. Sharper charged with pandemic unemployment fraud, received over $13K

ATLANTA — A Georgia state representative was charged Friday with making false statements to unlawfully obtain federal pandemic unemployment benefits, becoming the third member of the state House to face similar allegations tied to COVID-19 relief programs.

State Rep. Dexter L. Sharper, D-Valdosta, is accused of filing an initial application and 38 weekly certifications between April 2020 and May 2021 claiming he was unemployed and actively seeking work, according to prosecutors. Federal authorities allege Sharper continued to earn income during that period, including at least $325 per week as a lawmaker, earnings from his party rental business and additional income as a musician. 

Sharper, 54, of Valdosta, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on a charge of making false statements to obtain funds administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. If convicted, he faces penalties that could include fines and imprisonment. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. 

Prosecutors said Sharper collected about $13,825 in unemployment assistance benefits he was not entitled to receive. The program was created to support workers who lost income due to the pandemic, but applicants were required to certify that they were not working and were seeking employment. 

Two other Democratic state representatives have been charged in related cases. Former Rep. Karen L. Bennett pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month to making false statements in her unemployment claims, and Rep. Sharon Henderson was indicted in December on counts of theft of government funds and false statements. 

The investigation involves multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Georgia Office of the State Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.