Tag Archives: Joe Harding

Fox News reports: A former Florida Republican state representative who shot to national prominence after sponsoring a parental rights bill Democrats referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill spoke to Fox News Digital in his first major interview since being sentenced to prison for wire fraud. Joe Harding, who served as a Florida state representative until stepping down last …

Click Orlando reports: A former Florida state representative was sentenced to four months in federal prison Thursday after he pleaded guilty to fraudulently collecting about $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended to help small businesses. Joseph Harding, who once represented Florida’s 22nd District – which includes parts of Marion County, resigned from the Florida House of Representatives in December after …

Gainesville’s CBS affiliate reports: Federal prosecutors say former state Rep. Joe Harding betrayed the “public’s trust” and should be sent to prison. Harding’s employers and one of his brothers paint a picture of a hard-working family man who regrets fraudulently applying for business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor is poised to decide Harding’s punishment …

Gainesville’s ABC affiliate reports: With a sentencing hearing scheduled Sept. 11, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday that former state Rep. Joe Harding, R-Ocala, should be sent to prison for fraudulently applying for business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Joseph Harding is a businessman and former member of the Florida House of Representatives,” the filing said. “As he …

Florida Politics reports: Former Rep. Joe Harding, who pleaded guilty in March to wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements about COVID-19 relief funds he received, is asking for his sentencing date to be punted to September. In a motion filed with the North District of Florida, Harding’s lawyers, Ronald Kozlowski and Peggy-Anne O’Connor, requested a continuation of his …

The Associated Press reports: The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” pleaded guilty late Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud. 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 …

The Ocala Gazette reports: A change of plea hearing has been set in the case of former State Rep. Joe Harding, who faces several federal charges related to allegations that he defrauded a pandemic-related government small business loan program. The hearing has been set for 4 p.m. March 21 at the U.S. Courthouse in Gainesville. Harding, an Ocala Republican who …

The Orlando Weekly reports: A federal judge has sentenced the CEO of Airsign Airship Group to more than five years in prison for defrauding the government over $7.8 million meant to help average Americans during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the brother-in-law of a former Florida lawmaker who resigned after he was accused of federal fraud, too. …

Tampa’s NBC affiliate reports: In January a blimp company executive in Florida, Patrick Walsh, will be sentenced after pleading guilty to wire fraud, also from charges related to pandemic aid fraud. Walsh, of Williston, was accused of fraudulently obtaining millions in pandemic assistance, in August 2022. Walsh is now-former Florida state Rep. Joe Harding’s brother-in-law. In court documents, prosecutors said …

Tampa’s ABC affiliate reports: A seat in the Florida House sits empty following the resignation of Rep. Joe Harding amid accusations of lying to get a pandemic Payment Protection Program loan for hundreds of thousands of dollars. To fill the seat, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a special election would be held, with the primary coming in March, with the full …

Gainesville’s ABC affiliate reports: Former state Rep. Joe Harding, a Republican from Ocala, could go on trial in May to face charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements. Harding’s attorney, Peggy-Anne O’Connor, filed a motion Monday in federal court in Gainesville to move the trial to May. It had initially been scheduled for Jan. 11. The motion …

Florida Politics reports: A Special Election still hasn’t been called to replace state Rep. Joe Harding. But two candidates have already tossed their hat in the ring to replace him. Conservative author Ryan Chamberlin, an Ocala Republican, is launching a campaign in House District 24. He just co-authored “Think Big,” his fifth book. He also launched the True Patriot Network, …

Gainesville’s PBS affiliate reports: The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that Harding is accused of making fraudulent applications to the disaster-loan program. The release said Harding “made false representations in supporting loan documentation, in the names of dormant business entities, submitted to the SBA.” Harding was indicted by a grand jury on two counts each of wire fraud, money laundering …

From Florida state Rep. Joe Harding’s Facebook page: When I decided to run in in 2019 for the Florida House, I did so for two simple reasons: I love people, and I love Florida. Today, I am resigning from my position for the same two reasons: I love people, and I love Florida. I believe in Floridians and want what …

The Florida Phoenix reports: Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner released a statement saying that he will remove Harding from all his committee assignments. “After consultation with Rep. 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 …

Posted to Florida Rep. Joe Harding’s Facebook page: 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. On advice from counsel, I will be …

Florida Politics reports: A federal grand jury has indicted Republican Rep. Joe Harding of House District 24 on six felony counts, including money laundering and wire fraud, the DOJ announced Wednesday. The indictment alleges that between Dec. 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021, Harding committed two acts of wire fraud through a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration and …

Florida Politics reports: Dade City Republican Rep. Randy Maggard announced Wednesday that he will return $5,000 worth of contributions made by Disney to his 2022 re-election campaign, joining Williston Rep. Joe Harding. The pair decided to return the donations in response to the entertainment giant’s public stance on legislation (HB 1557) sponsored by Harding that has garnered national attention and …

Florida Politics reports: Rep. Joe Harding’s Ocala home was among those damaged by severe weather in Central Florida Saturday. The Ocala Republican was not at home, though family was. No injuries were reported. “We are blessed,” he said. “It could have been a lot worse.” Harding said a tornado touched down in his Ocala neighborhood. His next-door neighbor’s home was …

Brody Levesque reports at the Washington Blade: A Republican majority Florida House Education & Employment Committee passed HB 1557, the Parental Rights in Education bill, colloquially referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill advancing the measure to the full House. HB 1557 and its companion Senate bill SB 1834, would ban classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity …