Joe Harding Wiki – Joe Harding Biography
A federal grand jury indicted Republican Florida state Rep. Joe Harding on six counts after authorities said he illegally obtained $150,000 in pandemic-related small business loans by allegedly using the names of two dormant businesses. The indictment, unsealed Wednesday night, alleges that between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021, Harding used the dormant businesses in loan applications in the U.S.
Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications. Small Businesses, including the use of false bank statements as supporting documentation. The indictment accuses Harding of using two companies on loan applications: The Vak Shack, which according to its website sells vacuum-sealed bags at a discount, and Harding Farms, a 46-acre horse and cattle breeding facility.
Joe Harding Age
Joe Harding is 35 years old.
Incident Detail
Both companies had not been active in Florida from May 2017 to December 2020. At the time he submitted the applications for the loans, Harding, 35, created new bank accounts associated with the companies and filed documents with the Florida Department of State to reinstate both companies and make them appear to be operational, according to the accusation.
Harding told the SBA that The Vak Shack had $420,874 in revenue for the 12 months ending January 31, 2020 and four employees, while Harding Farms had $392,000 in revenue and two employees. In a statement released Wednesday night, Harding said he has pleaded not guilty.
“I want the public and my constituents to know that I have paid off the loan in full and have cooperated with investigators as requested.” The grand jury indicted Harding on Tuesday. He had a preliminary hearing that day and was released on bail. The government did not request that he remain in custody.
He is charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of engaging in currency transactions because he transferred the loan money to two separate bank accounts and two counts of making false statements to the SBA. He faces a maximum of 35 years in prison.
Harding, who represents parts of Marion County, was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020. He is best known for being the sponsor of House legislation that banned discussion of gender identity or orientation. sexuality in classrooms up to the third grade. The bill, which opponents dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, sparked protests and garnered national attention.
Shortly after the indictment was unsealed, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner removed Harding from his committee assignments, which included a seat on the House Judiciary. Committee. “After consulting with Representative Harding regarding his allegation, I am temporarily removing him from his committee assignments to give him time to focus on this matter,” Renner said. ”
In the United States, we adhere to the rule of law, and as such, Representative Harding is presumed innocent and will have the opportunity to plead his case in court.” The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI, the criminal division of the Internal Revenue Service, the inspector general of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the inspector general of the SBA. Trial is scheduled for January 11 in Gainesville.
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