While Henderson’s seat is up for reelection, it is unclear if she has plans to seek a fourth term given the accusations.
Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has suspended Democratic state Rep. Sharon Henderson from her duties after she faced accusations of fraud by collecting federal unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement, Henderson’s attorney, Gerald Griggs, said his client is prepared to fight the charges and pushed back against the suspension. “We look forward to litigating this matter in court,” Griggs said.
“In America, every individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Following the indictment, Henderson spoke publicly on Facebook, saying, “I was extremely confused and shocked when I was told by FBI agents that I was being arrested,” Henderson wrote, according to The Covington News.
“All I could think was ‘what could I possibly have done?’ I was baffled. I have never been accused of any wrongdoing in my entire life. I’ve never had any legal issues, never been accused of any crime, and I have never been arrested. I am 67 years old. I would never do this or do anything illegal!”
While Henderson’s seat is up for reelection, it is unclear if she has plans to seek a fourth term, given the accusations. In the interim, Karla Daniels Hooper has expressed interest in securing her seat.
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Source: Black Enterprise
