Prosecutors allege Sharper received $13,825 in unemployment assistance between April 2020 and May 2021 while continuing to earn income from multiple sources. According to court records, Sharper certified in 38 weekly filings that he was not working and was actively seeking employment. He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on charges of making false statements to obtain funds administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Two other Georgia state lawmakers have faced similar pandemic unemployment fraud charges in recent months. The case against Sharper is being investigated by state and federal agencies, including the Georgia Office of the State Inspector General and the FBI.