US EditionGeorgia governor suspends lawmaker accused of unemployment fraud
Rep. Sharon Henderson was suspended after a commission found her alleged $17,811 fraud charges impair her legislative duties pending case resolution.
- On Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended State Rep. Sharon Henderson after a three-member review commission found her indictment adversely affects her duties.
- Indicted in December, Sharon Henderson, State Representative, faces two counts of theft of government funds and 10 counts of making false statements, prosecutors say she illegally collected just over $17,000 and was released on $10,000 bond.
- According to court documents, Henderson's paystubs and weekly certifications citing COVID quarantine falsely claimed benefits in 2019 though she had not worked for Henry County Schools since 2018.
- The suspension removes Henderson from her legislative duties for House District 113, pending case resolution or term expiration, following Gov. Brian Kemp's executive order effective immediately Thursday.
- The suspension followed a guilty plea by former state Rep. Karen Bennett, with her lawyers saying she will pay back $13,490 b and prosecutors not seeking prison, scheduled for April 15.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Georgia Recorder
Kemp suspends Georgia lawmaker charged with pandemic relief fraud
Rep. Sharon Henderson on the first day of the 2026 Legislative session. Ross Williams/Georgia RecorderGov. Brian Kemp has suspended from office a Democratic lawmaker charged with unemployment fraud in connection with COVID-19 pandemic relief. Kemp, a Republican, announced Thursday that Rep. Sharon Henderson would be suspended from office until her case is resolved or her term ends. All members of the Legislature are up for re-election in Novembe…
Associated Press News
Georgia governor suspends lawmaker accused of unemployment fraud
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has suspended state Rep. Sharon Henderson from the Georgia House. Kemp acted Thursday after a report found the Democrat's indictment on charges that she lied to collect federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic hurt Henderson's ability to perform her duties.
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