Third Democrat Lawmaker BUSTED!

Democratic Georgia lawmakers allegedly stole tens of thousands in COVID relief funds meant for struggling families, while holding down multiple paying jobs—including as state representatives.

Story Snapshot

State Rep. Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta) charged January 30, 2026, with nearly $14,000 in fraud while working as legislator, party rental business owner, and musician.
Third such case among Georgia Democrats, following Rep. Sharon Henderson’s suspension and former Rep. Karen Bennett’s resignation over similar scams.
Gov. Brian Kemp (R) suspended Henderson, enforcing accountability against those who betrayed public trust.
Federal prosecutors vow no one is above the law, targeting politicians who stole from the needy during the pandemic.

Sharper’s Multi-Job Fraud Scheme

Dexter Sharper, a Democratic state representative from Valdosta, faces federal charges for collecting nearly $14,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits in 2020. He falsely certified unemployment despite incomes from his legislative role, a party rental business, and musician gigs. Federal authorities filed charges on January 30, 2026, with Sharper appearing in court that day and declining comment. This case exposes how elected officials exploited relaxed pandemic rules designed for the truly jobless.

Pattern of Democratic Lawmaker Abuse

Sharper marks the third Georgia Democrat charged in this fraud cluster. Rep. Sharon Henderson (D-District 113) collected $17,811 by lying about recent employment at Henry County Schools, where she last worked in 2018, while campaigning and serving in office. Gov. Kemp suspended her in December 2025 until her case resolves or her term ends in January 2027. These actions betray taxpayers who funded relief for pandemic victims, not politicians with steady paychecks.

Bennett’s False Quarantine Claims

Former Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain) resigned January 1, 2026, after indictment for $13,940 in fraudulent benefits. She claimed quarantine from Metro Therapy in May 2020, despite her home-based administrative role, church work paying $905 weekly, and assembly salary. Bennett pleaded not guilty, posted $10,000 bond, and faces sentencing April 15, 2026, with lawyers seeking repayment without prison time. Her case underscores lax verification that enabled such abuses.

Prosecutors and Governors Demand Accountability

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and Georgia Inspector General Nigel Lange lead investigations with FBI, DOL-OIG, and state agencies. Hertzberg stated politicians stealing from the needy face accountability. Lange affirmed nobody is above the law. Kemp’s suspension of Henderson highlights Republican commitment to ethics, weakening Democratic ranks ahead of 2026 elections. These prosecutions deter future overreach by officials who prioritized personal gain over constituents.

Georgia Lawmaker Allegedly Took $13K in COVID Unemployement Benefits While Working Up to 3 Jobs https://t.co/jwkk11dhXE

— 🌺🌿kam🌿🌺 (@pjkate) January 31, 2026

Broader Impact on Trust and Taxpayers

Suspensions and resignations disrupt districts like Newton and Covington, forcing repayments of $14,000 to $18,000 per case. Taxpayers footed these bills amid billions in national PUA fraud, underserved genuine applicants. Long-term, potential prison terms erode faith in legislators and strengthen enforcement precedents. Under President Trump’s focus on fiscal responsibility, such scandals remind Americans why limited government prevents waste from elite opportunists undermining hardworking families.