Joseph Harding: Florida rep behind ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill trolled over Covid-relief fraud charges
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA: A federal grand jury indicted Republican Rep Joe Harding on six felony counts, including money laundering and wire fraud on Wednesday, December 7. The indictment alleges that between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021, Harding committed two acts of wire fraud through a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) and by obtaining Covid-19-related small business loans through false and fraudulent pretenses.
The indictment, announced by the US Department of Justice, also alleges that Harding, 35, made fraudulent SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications and that he used fraudulent bank statements as supporting documentation for one of his EIDL applications. The announcement further states, "Harding fraudulently obtained and attempted to obtain more than $150,000 in funds from the SBA to which he was not entitled."
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Following the announcement, internet was quick to react and troll Harding, who authored the “don’t say gay” bill, which stated that Florida school districts "may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students," states Newsweek. One commented, "Could not happen to a more deserving guy." Another wrote, "HA THE PERSON WHO MADE THE LAW “don’t say gay” JUST GOT SENT TO PRISON FOR 35 YEARS. KARMA IS A REAL B***H." One more took a dig at him by saying, "Don’t say prison."
HA THE PERSON WHO MADE THE LAW “don’t say gay” JUST GOT SENT TO PRISON FOR 35 YEARS. KARMA IS A REAL BITCH.
— Nicole (@Nicole_edtwt) December 8, 2022
The bashing continued with an individual stating, "Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person," while another wrote, "They don’t say gay in prison, so he should be just fine. I mean, they don’t call it gay."
They don’t say gay in prison, so he should be just fine. I mean, they don’t call it gay.
— Changfucius (@TheChangfucius) December 8, 2022
'I pleaded not guilty to federal charges'
Harding responded to the charges via Facebook on the evening of December 7 and said, "Today, I pleaded not guilty to federal charges that state I improperly obtained and used an EIDL loan issued by the Small Business Administration. I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested.” He further wrote, “On advice from counsel, I will be unable to say anything more specific about the legal proceedings until a later date and refer any questions or concerns related to this matter to my attorney. I ask that you keep me and my family in your prayers as we work for a fair and just resolution. Thank you, and my God bless you.”
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.