Ex-Florida Lawmaker Admits Guilt in Loan Fraud Case

A Loan Fraud case has led to a guilty plea by a former Florida lawmaker, as reported by the Department of Justice. Joseph Harding, a previous Republican State Representative, admitted to charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements related to COVID-19 relief fraud.
Harding’s deceitful loan application resulted in him acquiring more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration. He is expected to be sentenced on July 25th, and his conviction carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years for wire fraud, 10 years for money laundering, and 5 years for making false statements.