Prosecutors Seek Prison For FL “Don’t Say Gay” Author

September 1, 2023 Crime, Republicans

Gainesville’s ABC affiliate reports:

With a sentencing hearing scheduled Sept. 11, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday that former state Rep. Joe Harding, R-Ocala, should be sent to prison for fraudulently applying for business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Joseph Harding is a businessman and former member of the Florida House of Representatives,” the filing said. “As he proudly served the citizens of Florida’s 22nd District, Harding took advantage of relief programs designed to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, bilking the federal government of $150,000.”

Harding, who resigned from the House after being indicted in December, pleaded guilty in March to charges of wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements. The charges involved Harding fraudulently applying for two pandemic-related Small Business Administration loans.

Florida Politics reports:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Keen filed a sentencing memo asking the courts to put the disgraced lawmaker behind bars. Federal guidelines and sentencing in similar cases suggest Harding should spend eight to 14 months in federal prison. But Keen said Harding’s cooperation with investigators may warrant cutting him some slack.

If Harding fought charges but was still found guilty in federal court, he faced up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge, as well as 10 years for each money laundering conviction and up to 5 years for every charge of false statements. For admitting his wrongs, and for fully paying back $150,000 in wrongfully obtained dollars, Keen said judges should give Harding some credit.

“I deeply regret my actions that led to these charges,” he said in a public statement. “I let down my family, my constituents, and those who have supported me over the years. I have only myself to blame. The greatest honor of my life was representing my hometown and my constituents in the Florida House.

Ten months after making it private, Harding has revived his Twitter account, the bio of which boasts of his “Don’t Say Gay” bill. In January, Harding’s brother-in-law was sentenced to 5.5 years on similar COVID fraud charges.



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