Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said he has suspended Democratic State Representative Sharon Henderson after she was indicted on federal charges related to pandemic relief fraud.
The action follows a review commission finding that Henderson’s indictment hinders her ability to perform official duties.
Kemp said, “The Review Commission has reported to the Governor that the indictment relates to and adversely affects the administration of the duties of Representative Sharon Henderson such that the rights and interests of the public are adversely affected.”
Kemp issued an executive order suspending Henderson immediately after accepting the commission’s report. Federal prosecutors allege Henderson submitted fraudulent claims during her 2020 campaign, impeding her ability to carry out legislative responsibilities.
Henderson faces two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements. Prosecutors say she misrepresented employment with Henry County Schools to collect $17,811 in benefits despite working only five days in 2018.
A comparable case involved former State Representative Karen Bennett, who pleaded guilty to making false statements to collect $13,940 in unemployment benefits and resigned before charges were filed, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Nationally, the Government Accountability Office estimates that improper COVID relief payments, including fraud in unemployment programs, totaled more than $200 billion across the United States.