[my_adsense_shortcode_1]
The Florida state consultant who sponsored legislation opponents dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill resigned Thursday, a day after he was accused of fraudulently acquiring tens of hundreds of {dollars} from a federal Covid-relief program.
State Rep. Joseph Harding, a Republican, mentioned his resignation could be “effective immediately.” He has been indicted on a slew of charges, together with wire fraud, cash laundering, making false statements and different crimes.
The six-count indictment alleges that Harding, 35, sought greater than $150,000 in Covid-relief loans and acquired roughly $45,000 in January and February 2021, for a pair of corporations that had been dormant within the months earlier than the functions had been filed.
In a resignation letter addressed to Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and posted on Harding’s marketing campaign Facebook web page, he mentioned his authorized woes, which embody a trial within the case set to start in January, required his full consideration.
“It has been a great honor to serve the people of this state and more specifically the people of Levy and Marion Counties,” Harding mentioned. “However, due to legal issues that require my complete focus, it is my opinion that now is the time to allow someone else to serve my district.”
Renner mentioned in an announcement, “I understand and respect his decision to submit his resignation. Any questions about his case should be directed to his legal counsel.”
The indictment alleges that in functions to the Small Business Administration in 2020, Harding claimed Vak Shack Inc. and Harding Farms had half a dozen staff and gross income from the earlier 12 months totaling greater than $800,000. State information confirmed the entities had been dormant and had no staff.
Harding pleaded not responsible in court docket Wednesday.
In an announcement posted Thursday on Facebook, Harding mentioned he had repaid “every penny” of the mortgage.
“There will be a time when I can tell my story in detail, and I will,” Harding mentioned in assertion, including that he has “done my best to cooperate fully with all authorities.”
He did not immediately respond Thursday night to request for additional comment.
Harding, whose district includes Ocala, was first elected in 2020.
He sponsored a bill this year prohibiting “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” in the state’s primary schools. The bill, which was criticized as an attack on Florida’s LGBTQ community, was signed into law in March by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Tim Stelloh contributed.
[my_adsense_shortcode_1]
Source link
[my_taboola_shortcode_1]
