Federal authorities arrested a Georgia state lawmaker for allegedly lying about her employment to collect unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 scamdemic. State Rep. Sharon Henderson, a Democrat, was indicted on two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements. “It is shocking that a public official would allegedly lie to profit from an emergency program designed to help suffering community members,” said United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Politicians who violate the public trust and steal from the needy to enrich themselves will be held accountable,” Hertzberg added. Sharon Henderson, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, was arrested today and should appear in court this afternoon after a federal grand jury charged her with two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements.https://t.co/otsHLsPkUt pic.twitter.com/nhU3ATCkly — US Attorney NDGA (@NDGAnews) December 8, 2025 More from the Associated Press: Henderson was arrested at her home Monday by federal agents. Led into a federal courtroom in Atlanta in leg shackles, she pleaded not guilty in an initial appearance. She declined comment to The Associated Press after she was released from custody on $10,000 bail. U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg told WABE-FM that more Georgia lawmakers are being investigated for fraudulently obtaining unemployment payments from COVID-10 relief programs. “There are more investigations that we’re engaged in and there are more indictments that are likely to follow of people currently serving in the Georgia state House,” Hertzberg told the radio station. Henderson is accused of illegally collecting $17,811 in unemployment benefits. Hertzberg said in a statement that Henderson falsely claimed in 2019 that she was entitled to benefits as a laid off substitute teacher in Henry County, southeast of Atlanta. But Hertzberg said Henderson hadn’t worked for the school system since 2018 and her contract included an acknowledgment that substitute teachers aren’t entitled to unemployment payments. “In June 2020, while a candidate for a Georgia House seat, Henderson allegedly applied for federal pandemic unemployment benefits claiming that her current employer was Henry County Schools,” the Justice Department stated. State Rep. Sharon Henderson, a Democrat from Newton County, was just charged with defrauding the federal government and making false statements. #gapol https://t.co/Xsr7OeGtNf — Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) December 8, 2025 “Nobody is above the law, especially Georgia’s elected officials. This indictment should send a clear message that theft of government funds intended for qualified citizens will not be tolerated,” said Georgia State Inspector General Nigel Lange. “GA-OIG appreciates the efforts of our state and federal partners in bringing this case for prosecution,” Lange added. Spectrum News shared further: The federal government paid special unemployment benefits during the pandemic, using state unemployment systems, to people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. As with regular unemployment benefits, applicants had to certify every week that they remained unemployed to claim benefits. State and federal agencies investigated the case. Under the state constitution, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp must now appoint a review commission composed of the attorney general, one member of the Senate and one member of the House to determine whether Henderson should be suspended from office after the indictment. If the commission, after a hearing, recommends suspension, Kemp must suspend Henderson without pay until her charges are resolved. If Henderson isn’t convicted, she would be reinstated to office. After losing primary bids for the House in 2016 and 2018, Henderson defeated incumbent Pam Dickerson in a primary in 2020. She won the general election without Republican opposition in 2020 and won reelection in 2022 and 2024.