Key takeaways:
- Former Florida Republican lawmaker Joseph Harding pleads guilty to federal felony charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud in Gainesville federal court.
- Harding initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but now pleads guilty to one count of each charge, cutting his potential punishment in half.
- The plea agreement states that Harding will pay $150,000 in restitution to the Small Business Administration, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 8.
Former Florida Republican lawmaker Joseph Harding has pleaded guilty to federal felony charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud in Gainesville federal court.
Harding, 35, was initially charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of making false statements in December. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but now pleads guilty to one count of each charge, cutting his potential punishment in half.
Court documents show that Harding made false statements to the Small Business Administration while applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan for one of his dormant business entities. The plea agreement reads that Harding “acknowledges that were this case to go to trial, the government would present evidence to support the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Harding is best known for authoring the state’s infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which critics argue is discriminatory. He resigned from the Florida House in December, a day after federal prosecutors announced his indictment.
The plea agreement states that Harding will pay $150,000 in restitution to the Small Business Administration. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 8.
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