Florida 'Don't Say Gay' Lawmaker Sentenced to Slammer for Fraud

Former Florida state lawmaker Joe Harding vaulted to notoriety when he wrote the bill that became that state's infamous "Don't Say Gay" law. Now, having been convicted of fraud, he has a different destination: Federal prison.

The Daily Beast reported that Harding was sentenced to four months "after he pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining a $150,000 COVID-19 relief loan.

"Harding, 36, will also be subject to two years of supervised release and a $300 fine following his prison sentence," DB noted.

"Today, Mr. Harding was held accountable for swindling money out of COVID-19 relief programs created to help small businesses, including Mr. Harding's own constituents, recover from the economic hardships of the pandemic," Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), said in an Oct. 19 press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida.

"Mr. Harding egregiously betrayed the public trust by stealing from COVID relief funds meant to help the very people who elected him," Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Payne, IRS Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office, said in the same release.

"Greed and public service should never meet, but when they do, we stand ready to ensure bad actors are held responsible for their actions," Special Agent Payne added.

"Harding resigned from the state Legislature in December, shortly after he was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements," the Daily Beast recalled.

But by that point, his sponsorship of the "Don't Say Gay" bill had already ignited controversy and put Florida's LGBTQ+ students and school staff in the crosshairs.

The bill criminalized classroom discussion of LGBTQ+ people and issues affecting them, and prompted criticism from advocates who worried that LGBTQ+ youth and staff would be muzzled and marginalized. The bill purported to apply only through the early grades of school, but opponents warned that its broad language would make it applicable to all grades.

A subsequent expansion of the law after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law, officially enforced it through all grades.

It encourages parents to act as de facto enforcers by encouraging lawsuits if parents believe the law has been broken.

Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, said in the U.S. Attorney's Office new release that Harding "abused a program that was designed to ease the suffering of the constituents who elected him to serve in their best interests."

Added Special Agent Onks: "Instead of using thousands of dollars in federal funds to help keep struggling businesses afloat and honest workers employed, he selfishly diverted it for his own personal gain."

"The FBI will hold accountable anyone who takes advantage of those in need, and we remain committed to working with our partners to ensure fraudsters are brought to justice."

Even as state lawmakers in other parts of the country pass laws similar to those Florida has recently enacted, targeting LGBTQ+ youth and adults, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have targeted the FBI for eradication, claiming that the Biden administration is "weaponizing government" against conservatives.