A Democratic state representative from Georgia who is currently facing charges of pandemic-related theft has stepped down from his position. Rep. Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta) was charged with the crime in January 2026. Sharper allegedly made false statements in order to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars in emergency payments from the state’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
Prosecutors on the case said Sharper ended up collecting $13,825 in unemployment assistance benefits, which he was not entitled to or qualified to receive. Federal prosecutors then stated that the state representative applied for unemployment assistance benefits starting in April 2020 through May 2021. In his first application, Sharper alleged that he had a single employer.
That employer was listed as Dexter Sharper Party Rental, which he also claimed employed him to work 40 hours a week for a period of more than seven years. He also said he had not been employed with the company since March 13, 2020. Prosecutors went on to say that in 38 separate weekly certifications, Sharper said that he hadn’t worked or received wages but was actively looking for work.
According to Atlanta News First, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said that he was indeed working during that time and earning wages from two or three jobs per week. “He received at least $325 every week from the Georgia General Assembly for his position as Georgia state representative,” a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
“Sharper’s party rental business was operating and generating up to $2,231 per week. And Sharper was also collecting up to an additional $275 per week for work as a musician,” the statement continued. Sharper, in his resignation letter, said, “It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of Valdosta and Lowndes County in this role.”
“Serving this community in several capacities for over 35 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. After prayerful reflection, today I have stepped down from my position in the Georgia House of Representatives,” the former lawmaker’s letter read, according to CBS News. “I believe in facing every season with faith, responsibility, and clarity, and I am committed to moving forward with purpose.”
Sharper, who pleaded guilty to the charges against him, could end up serving a sentence of five years in prison along with a hefty $250,000 fine. The now-former state representative has already agreed to pay over $10,000 in restitution for his crime. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21, 2026. Sadly, Sharper is not the first Georgia Democrat lawmaker to be accused of fraud related to COVID-19 relief over the last several months.
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In December 2025, federal investigators charged Rep. Sharon Henderson with two counts of theft of government funds and 10 counts of making false statements. Henderson was promptly suspended from the rest of her term by Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in January 2026. Surprisingly, despite facing serious charges, Henderson has filed to run for the state Senate later this year. Former Rep. Karen Bennett was also forced to resign from office just days before she was charged and pleaded guilty to making false statements in January.
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