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Georgia legislator indicted for unemployment fraud; prosecutor says more inquiries ongoing

Rep. Sharon Henderson faces 12 federal charges including theft and false statements for allegedly fraudulently obtaining $17,811 in pandemic unemployment benefits, prosecutors said.

  • On Monday, Rep. Sharon Henderson, D-Covington, was arrested on federal charges, facing two counts of theft of government funds and 10 counts of making false statements, with her initial appearance set in federal court in Atlanta.
  • While campaigning for the Georgia House, Henderson applied for federal pandemic benefits listing Henry County Schools as her employer and submitted weekly COVID-19 inability certifications, including eight after sworn-in service as state representative.
  • DOJ records show she collected $17,811 in benefits despite only a five-day substitute stint in 2018 and signing a Substitute Teacher Agreement noting ineligibility.
  • U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand ordered surrender of her passport and released her on a $10,000 unsecured bond; Gov. Brian Kemp must appoint a review commission to rule on suspension within 14 days, risking representation by Jan. 12.
  • As part of the DOJ COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, prosecutors are probing whether others were involved and urge reporting fraud to 866-720-5721.
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WAGA broke the news in Atlanta, United States on Monday, December 8, 2025.
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