FL’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Author Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges: U.S. DOJ

FLORIDA — The former state lawmaker behind Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, which limits how gender identity and sexual orientation are discussed in the state’s public-school classrooms, has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges.

Former state Rep. Joseph Harding, 35, of Williston, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to a U.S. Department news release.

He represented House District 24 before resigning from his seat in December after a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against him.

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Harding obtained coronavirus-related small business loans through the Small Business Administration “by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and while executing such scheme, caused wire communications to be transmitted in interstate commerce,” court documents show.

He also submitted “a false and fraudulent” SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan application for one of his dormant businesses. Through this action, he fraudulently received $150,000 in relief money that he wasn’t entitled to, according to the DOJ.

After receiving the EIDL funds, Harding made three transactions involving more than $10,000 using them, the court said. He transferred money to his joint bank account, made a credit card payment and transferred money to a bank account of a third-party business entity.

Harding’s sentencing takes place July 25 at the U.S. courthouse in Gainesville. He faces up to 35 years in prison — 20 years for wire fraud, 10 years for money laundering and five years for making false statements.