State Representative Sharon Henderson of Georgia has been indicted by a grand jury for alleged fraud related to pandemic unemployment benefits she received. Prosecutors claim Henderson obtained nearly $18,000 by falsely stating she lost wages as a substitute teacher at Henry County Schools during 2020 pandemic school closures—a position she did not hold since 2018.
The indictment states Henderson submitted eight false weekly certifications to the state, alleging she was unemployed due to the shutdowns. She is charged with two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “It is shocking that a public official would allegedly lie to profit from an emergency program designed to help suffering community members. Politicians who violate the public trust and steal from the needy to enrich themselves will be held accountable.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown added: “Sharon Henderson allegedly chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds meant to help those in need, some in her own Georgia House district.”
Henderson, who was first elected to the legislature in 2020 and re-elected twice since then, is expected to plead not guilty. Her legislative profile lists prior service as a pastor at the New Bethel Love Center in Summerville, South Carolina. She is married to a pastor and has four children.
