Tallahassee — Officials said Wednesday that the Florida senator who authored the notorious “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been indicted on allegations of scamming a federal coronavirus financing program for small companies.
Federal prosecutors alleged that 35-year-old Representative Joe Harding fraudulently acquired or attempted to obtain more than $150,000 in economic aid loans from the Small Business Administration. Two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of making false statements are brought against him.
This year, Harding, a Republican, gained national prominence for his support of a law prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as age-inappropriate content.
Harding stated in a written statement, “I want the public and my constituents to know that I repaid the loan in full and cooperated with authorities as required.”
On Jan. 13, 2022, in Tallahassee, Florida, Florida state Rep. Joe Harding listens during a Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee hearing during a legislative session.
The Republican speaker of the Florida House of Representatives has removed Harding temporarily from his legislative committee responsibilities.
The trial is set for January 11.
Some teachers and LGBTQ+ supporters were concerned that the “Don’t Say Gay” bill singled out LGBTQ+ pupils and children of LGBTQ+ parents. However, its proponents assert that it establishes clear criteria for age-appropriate conversations and provides parents the choice to choose what their children learn.
In March, when Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, the executive director of Equality Florida, Nadine Smith, said that he “has tarnished our state’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive home for all families, he has made us a laughingstock and focus of national scorn.” Worse, he has decreased the safety of schools for children.
“Equality Florida will defend the rights of all students to a healthy environment in which to study and flourish, as well as the rights of all parents to know that their families are valued. This measure will not survive, and we will endeavor to have it declared unconstitutional by the courts or overturned by the legislature.”
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