articleThe Brief State Rep. Sharon Henderson pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to fraudulently obtain $17,811 in pandemic unemployment funds. The Covington lawmaker admitted to lying about past employment with Henry County Schools to secure federal relief payments. A suspended Georgia state representative pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court after making false statements to steal thousands of dollars in emergency pandemic assistance. What we know:Sharon Henderson, 67, of Covington, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to obtain taxpayer-funded pandemic relief. She submitted weekly fraudulent claims in June 2021 while serving as the elected state representative for District 113, which covers western Newton County and part of Covington.