Florida Republican who sponsored ‘Don’t Say Gay’ indicted on Covid relief fraud charges

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal grand jury indicted Republican Florida state Rep. Joe Harding on six counts after authorities said he illegally obtained $150,000 in pandemic-related small business loans by allegedly using the names of two dormant companies.

The indictment, unsealed Wednesday night, alleges that between Dec. 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, Harding used the dormant companies on applications for loans on the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications, including using false bank statements as supporting documentation.

The indictment accuses Harding of using two companies on loan applications: The Vak Shack, which according to its website, sells discounted vacuum sealer bags, and Harding Farms, a 46-acre horse and cattle far facility. Both companies had not been active in Florida from between May 2017 to December 2020.

At the time he filed applications seeking the loans, Harding, 35, created new bank accounts associated with the companies and filed paperwork with the Florida Department of State to reinstate both companies to make them appear as though they were operational, according to the indictment.

Harding told the SBA that The Vak Shack had $420,874 in revenue for the 12 months prior to Jan. 31, 2020, and four employees, while Harding Farms had $392,000 in revenue and two employees.

In a statement released Wednesday night, Harding said he has pleaded not guilty.

“I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested.”

The grand jury formally indicted Harding on Tuesday. He had a preliminary hearing on that day and was released on bond. The government did not request that he remain in custody.

He is charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of engaging in monetary transactions because he transferred the loan money to two separate bank accounts and two counts of making false statements to the SBA. He faces a maximum of 35 years in prison.

Harding, who represents parts of Marion County, was first elected to the Florida House in 2020. He is best known as being the House sponsor for legislation that banned discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms up until third grade. The bill, which opponents branded the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, sparked protests and got national attention.

Shortly after the indictment was unsealed, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner removed Harding from his committee assignments, which included a spot on the House Judiciary Committee.

“After consultation with Representative Harding regarding his indictment, I am temporarily removing him from his committee assignments to allow him time to focus on this matter,” Renner said. “In America, we adhere to the rule of law, and as such, Representative Harding is presumed innocent and will have the opportunity to plead his case before a court.”

The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal division, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s inspector general, and the SBA’s inspector general.

Trial is scheduled for Jan. 11 in Gainesville.