麻豆影视

Skip to main content

Florida lawmaker charged with COVID-19 relief fraud

Waiting for COVID-19 tests at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 10, 2022. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel via AP) Waiting for COVID-19 tests at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 10, 2022. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Share

U.S. federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday against a Florida state representative who allegedly swindled thousands of dollars in relief loans from the Small Business Administration.

State Rep. Joseph Harding obtained more than US$150,000 in SBA loans by lying on his loan applications, according to a news release from the U.S. Justice Department. Prosecutors allege Harding listed dormant business entities on his applications, fabricated the numbers of people he employed and submitted fake bank statements.

Harding, 35, is set to go to trial for charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements, DOJ said in the release. A wire fraud conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while money laundering and making false statements carry a maximum of 10 and five years, respectively.

His trial is set for January 11 in Gainesville, Florida.

Harding was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020. He still holds the public office, according to his website.

CNN has reached out to Harding's office for comment.

In a statement to the , he said he had pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance Wednesday. "I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and co-operated with investigators as requested," Harding told the Times.

The Florida Republican has drawn the national spotlight before, as a sponsor of the about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom that opponents dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law. The legislation officially named the "Parental Rights in Education" law, signed by Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in March, set off a national firestorm and drew immediate pushback from LGBTQ advocates.

Investigators have said that have been obtained using fabricated, stolen or fake information. The Justice Department's COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force has brought several high-profile fraud cases across the country.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.

A Toronto police officer has been arrested after allegedly stealing three bottles of alcohol from a store.

Three people were taken to hospital after a crash between a pickup truck and a car in a rural part of Ottawa's south end on Saturday afternoon.

Police on Vancouver Island have made an arrest in the case of a 78-year-old woman found dead in her home almost two years ago.

A driver suffered only minor injuries after going airborne in a residential neighbourhood in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, the car eventually landing on its roof in someone鈥檚 backyard.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's t蓹m蓹sew虛tx史 Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

Stay Connected