Georgia state Rep. Sharon Henderson is facing federal charges for allegedly collecting nearly $18,000 in pandemic unemployment money while running for office and later serving in the legislature.
Henderson, a Democrat representing District 113, was arrested Monday and is expected to plead not guilty during her upcoming federal court appearance.
How the Alleged Scheme Began
Prosecutors say the case dates back to June 2020 while Henderson was campaigning for a seat in the state House.
Congress had created emergency unemployment programs for workers who lost jobs due to COVID-19 shutdowns. Applicants needed to certify their work history and confirm pandemic-related unemployment.
Prosecutors Say Claims Did Not Match Records
Federal officials allege that Henderson submitted information that conflicted with her employment record.
According to the indictment, she claimed she worked for Henry County Schools throughout 2019 and into March 2020.
Investigators say she only worked five days as a substitute teacher in 2018, almost two years earlier, and substitutes were not eligible for unemployment benefits.
Certifications Filed After She Took Office
Authorities also say Henderson submitted weekly certifications stating she could not work due to COVID-19 quarantine issues. Eight of those filings reportedly came after she had already been sworn in as a state representative.
Prosecutors allege she received $17,811 in unemployment benefits through these filings.
Federal Officials Condemn the Alleged Fraud
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg called the accusations shocking. He said public officials who divert emergency funds from the community “will be held accountable.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said Henderson “allegedly chose greed over compassion.”
Georgia Inspector General Nigel Lange added that “nobody is above the law,” especially elected officials.
Investigation Details
The investigation involved the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Georgia Office of the State Inspector General, and the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford is leading the prosecution.
Background on Rep. Sharon Henderson
Henderson has represented District 113 since 2021, which includes part of Covington and western Newton County.
Before serving in the legislature, she worked in banking, ministry, and public education, including as a special-needs paraprofessional.
In the Capitol, she has supported health initiatives such as cancer screenings and child nutrition programs.
Unanswered Questions in the Case
Officials have not said whether anyone else assisted in the filings or whether more charges could follow. They also have not disclosed how investigators verified her employment history.
House leaders have not commented on potential disciplinary action, and her attorney has not released a public statement.
Part of a Larger Federal Crackdown
The case comes as federal authorities continue addressing widespread fraud linked to pandemic relief programs.
Prosecutors say this enforcement effort remains a priority because billions in emergency funds were distributed quickly during the pandemic.
The Department of Justice encourages the public to report suspected fraud through its disaster hotline or online portal.
Covid relief fraud was somewhere between $500 billion and $1 trillion. Georgia State Rep Sharon Henderson has been indicted. Henderson claimed she worked for a school district through March 2020 when she was only a substitute teacher in 2018 for five days. pic.twitter.com/BnLrphCCjY
— Booker (@RealBookerScott) December 9, 2025
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