The Florida state rep. who wrote the original ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill pleaded guilty yesterday to COVID-19 relief fraud. Joseph Harding, 35, a Republican, potentially faces up to 35 years in jail.
Harding pleaded guilty at a federal court in Gainesville. The charges were wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud.
Prosecutors announced Harding’s indictment last December. In a statement at the time, the Department of Justice said, “Harding fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain more than $150,000 in funds from the SBA to which he was not entitled.” It says he applied for financial relief for businesses that had lain dormant.
Harding immediately resigned from the House after the indictment. He took to Facebook to say he pleaded “not guilty” at an initial hearing.
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“Today, I pleaded not guilty to federal charges that state I improperly obtained and used an EIDL loan issued by the Small Business Administration. I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested.”
Harding changed his plea for yesterday’s court hearing. He will face sentencing on July 25th. The maximum term for wire fraud is 20 years, 10 years for money laundering, and five years for making false statements.
HB 1557: ‘Parental Rights In Education’
The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is officially known as HB 1557, the ‘Parental Rights In Education’ bill. The legislation became law last summer. It bars educators from talking to younger students about anything related to LGBTQ people. Advocates for child safety and LGBTQ rights, and teachers unions, have criticized the legislation.
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Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ lawmaker indicted on fraud and money laundering charges
Bad news for GOP Rep. Joe Harding.
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Cam
Because Republicans are anti-American criminals.
dbmcvey
So true Cam.
RIGay
Another one of Florida’s finest.
Creamsicle
There are thousands more cases like him across the country and around the world. Covid-19 emergency funds, like PPP, were horrifically administered and just funneled money into the coffers of organizations who were already flush with cash while small businesses who needed those funds went out of business. Now there’s still a huge gap in the number of men working in the economy.
We’re in for a decade or more of decline at the rate that we’re going. No wonder the GOP is doubling down on white identity politics and gay panic. If they stop, the base might remember who’s been in the driver’s seat while quality of life has diminished and living standards have fallen.
Who am I kidding? The GOP just wants to be in step with the nebulous disinformation sphere that has emerged to scoop up all the lovers who think that Fox News is too liberal. The base is constantly 4 AI-generated articles away from turning on the Republican establishment.
ddmtl
Don’t drop the soap in the shower, you actually might enjoy it:))
JClark
It’s rare to see the correct use of “lain,” the past participle of “lie.” Good for you Queerty! I’m Impressed.
Thad
If only Gainesville were spelled correctly. (Good article otherwise.)
Robert-in-Seattle
A**h*le!
hatmaker
I bet he will learn to say gay in the showers???
cuteguy
He pleaded guilty prob bc he thinks that Gov Deathsantis is his get out of jail free card, Florida is a banana republic at this point. That’s why Trumpf moved down there after NYC threw his fat arse out. The GQP is the modern day Nazi party looking for their new Adolf
HMFan
That whole “Don’t Say Gay” thing is going to take on a completely new and different meaning for Mr. Harding very soon…