Former Florida State Rep. Joseph Harding will be spending four months in prison.
After State Rep. Joseph Harding’s release in four months, it will be followed with two years of supervised release. (Photo: Tampa Bay Times)
State Rep. Joseph Harding Criminal Charges
Former Florida Republican state Rep. Joseph Harding has been sentenced to four months in prison. State Rep. Joseph Harding pleaded guilty to charges related to defrauding a coronavirus relief program.
State Rep. Joseph Harding was sentenced to prison. State Rep. Joseph Harding’s sentence is followed by two years of supervised release, for wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.
State Rep. Joseph Harding was indicted in December 2022 for fraudulently obtaining $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. State Rep. Joseph Harding, who resigned from his position in the Florida House of Representatives after the indictment, expressed remorse during the sentencing hearing.
According to a published article by the Washington Examiner, state Rep. Joseph Harding was known for sponsoring the Parental Rights in Education bill, which was signed into law in March 2022. State Rep. Joseph Harding’s law was referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law by opponents.
“Don’t Say Gay” Bill
In a published article by The New York Times, he manipulated bank statements and falsified information to support his loan applications. Previously, he sponsored a controversial law known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which aimed to restrict discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary school classrooms and has faced criticism from LGBTQ+ groups.
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