Joseph Harding (screen capture via YouTube)Joseph Harding, the former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the homophobic “Don’t Say Gay” law in 2022 pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud.
Harding resigned from the Florida House last December, just 24 hours after prosecutors announced his indictment.
From the Associated Press:
Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records.
He faces up to 35 years in prison at a hearing scheduled for July 25.
Harding became nationally known last year over his sponsorship of a law that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
As I reported earlier today, Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration is now aiming to expand the “Don’t Say Gay” law to ban mention of sexual orientation or gender identity in all grades – kindergarten through 12th.
Harding’s brother-in-law was sentenced to five and a half years in prison two months ago for defrauding the government of over $7.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
LMFAOOO, Joseph Harding, the GOP jackass who sponsored the "Don't Say Gay" bill is facing 35 years in prison for covid relief fraud.
Karma is really spelled HA HA HA fuck you. pic.twitter.com/nTMD7Jli84
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) March 22, 2023