Federal charges filed against Georgia House member over COVID unemployment payments

ATLANTA — A member of the Georgia House of Representatives is facing federal charges after prosecutors accused him of fraudulently collecting thousands of dollars in COVID-19 unemployment benefits while continuing to work and earn income. Federal prosecutors announced that Dexter L. Sharper, 54, of Valdosta, was charged with making false statements to obtain unemployment assistance funds administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. According to the criminal information, Sharper allegedly applied for pandemic unemployment benefits between April 2020 and May 2021 while serving as the state representative for House District 177, which includes portions of Lowndes County. Prosecutors say Sharper...