TALLAHASSEE — The previous Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics simply call “Never Say Gay” pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud.
Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP
Joseph Harding, a 35-calendar year-old Republican, pleaded responsible in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, cash laundering, and producing fake statements in relationship with COVID-19 relief fraud, in accordance to court documents. He faces up to 35 a long time in prison at a listening to scheduled for July 25.
Harding resigned from the Florida Dwelling in December, a day after federal prosecutors announced his indictment.
In accordance to courtroom files, Harding produced fake statements to the Small Small business Administration although applying for an Financial Personal injury Catastrophe Mortgage for one of his dormant enterprise entities. Right after obtaining $150,000 in COVID-19 reduction funds, prosecutors said Harding carried out a few monetary transactions, every involving additional than $10,000 in fraudulently acquired money: a transfer to his joint financial institution account, a payment to his credit history card, and a transfer into a bank account of a third-bash enterprise entity.
The Economic Harm Catastrophe Personal loan Application is made to give financial aid to small enterprises that are enduring a momentary loss of revenue.
Harding grew to become nationally acknowledged last calendar year over his sponsorship of a legislation that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification in kindergarten by way of third grade, as perfectly as content that is not deemed age acceptable.
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