A Republican lawmaker in Florida who sponsored the state’s controversial laws often known as the “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice was indicted Wednesday on costs of defrauding the federal government of coronavirus aid loans.
Federal prosecutors allege state Rep. Joe Harding illegally obtained or tried to acquire greater than $150,000 in federal loans meant for small companies throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Harding, who was elected in 2020, was charged with utilizing two dormant company entities to use for the funds, filling out fraudulent functions.
In his utility, prosecutors stated Harding claimed one among his companies had greater than $400,000 in income and 4 workers within the months previous to the pandemic. The corporate has really been dormant for 3 years, with no income or no workers.
The indictment additionally alleges Harding created false financial institution statements to assist his functions.
He faces six counts, together with wire fraud, making false statements and cash laundering. Harding has pleaded not responsible and was launched on bond earlier than a scheduled trial on Jan. 11.
“I need the general public and my constituents to know that I totally repaid the mortgage and cooperated with investigators as requested,” he informed The Related Press in an announcement.
Harding sponsored the “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice earlier this yr, which sparked nationwide outrage earlier than Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the invoice into legislation in March. The laws successfully forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender id in lots of elementary faculty school rooms, permitting dad and mom to sue faculty districts as a way to implement it.
Civil rights teams have roundly criticized the legislation as homophobic, discriminatory and hateful. Analysis has already proven a surge in anti-LGBTQ hate because the legislation handed.
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