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Georgia Democratic State Representative Dexter Sharper has been formally charged by federal authorities with improperly obtaining more than $13,000 in unemployment benefits intended for people financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite having multiple active sources of income, including his salary as an elected official.

The indictment was filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, which alleges that the legislator applied for and received the payments under the pretext that his work had been interrupted, when in reality he continued to receive regular income.

According to court documents, Sharper allegedly provided false or misleading information in his applications for assistance programs created as part of the economic relief packages approved during the health emergency. These programs were intended to support workers who were unemployed or whose income was reduced due to the crisis.

Federal prosecutors allege that the representative not only held his position as a state legislator but also had other sources of income at the time he received the funds, making him ineligible for those benefits.

The case adds to a series of recent investigations related to alleged irregularities in the use of pandemic relief funds. In fact, Sharper is the third Democratic politician in Georgia to face charges in recent months for fraudulent applications linked to COVID-19 relief programs, which has intensified scrutiny of the handling of these public funds.

Authorities have indicated that they will continue to pursue fraud cases related to emergency programs, considering the misappropriation of resources intended for vulnerable people a serious breach of public trust.

Sharper has not issued any public statements regarding the allegations, and the legal proceedings will continue in federal court.