The Department of Justice scored a Democrat fraud hat trick in Georgia: A third politician has been charged with fraudulently obtaining unemployment funds from the government.

Georgia state Rep. Dexter Sharper, a Democrat, was charged Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice with “making false statements to fraudulently obtain thousands” in COVID-related funds after he allegedly claimed unemployment benefits while he kept working.

‘The alleged activities describe a disgusting abuse by an elected official who appeared to trade his integrity for money destined for those in need.’

Sharper applied for the benefits in 2020 that were available as a result of the pandemic, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg.

He allegedly claimed that he was unemployed and obtained about $13,825 in unemployment while he was actually making up to $2,231 of income per week at one job and up to an additional $275 weekly as a musician. He applied for the benefits and then made fraudulent weekly statements that he wasn’t working in order to receive unemployment payments, prosecutors said.

“While many of his constituents and fellow citizens were losing jobs and desperately needed unemployment assistance during the pandemic, Representative Sharper allegedly pretended to be out of work to collect a share of unemployment benefits for himself,” said Hertzberg. “When government officials lie to take money, and do it while holding an elected office, it violates the trust of citizens and weakens faith in our elected government.”

The first Georgia Democrat nailed for stealing fraudulent unemployment benefits was Karen Bennett, who resigned before pleading guilty on Jan. 21 to federal charges of making fraudulent statements. Prosecutors said she stole $13,940.

A second Democrat, state Rep. Sharon Henderson, was indicted on Dec. 2 for similar accusations related to the alleged theft of $17,811 in pandemic unemployment funds.

RELATED: Dr. Oz exposes alleged fraud in L.A. — so Newsom calls for probe into ‘racially charged’ claims

Sharper declined a request for comment from the Georgia Recorder on the advice of counsel, and a spokesperson for the Georgia House Democratic Caucus also declined to comment.

“These charges point to some disgraceful conduct at the highest level, which should shock and repulse every citizen,” said Georgia Inspector General Nigel Lange. “The alleged activities describe a disgusting abuse by an elected official who appeared to trade his integrity for money destined for those in need.”

Sharper’s biography appears to have been scrubbed from the Georgia House of Representatives website, but a version of the page archived at the Wayback Machine said he founded “Sharper Bounce Houses & More” as well as the “Dexter Sharper Fresheners” business. He has four children with his wife, Chequella Shipman Sharper.

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According to the young Bryce Crawford, God transformed his life and gave him the boldness to share Jesus with people most Christians avoid.

“The head of the KKK, furries, politicians, homeless people. What do all of these groups have in common? They need Jesus. They need to hear the gospel,” BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey says on “Relatable.”

“Bryce Crawford knows that. That’s why he goes to everyone, everywhere, and preaches the good news of Jesus Christ,” she says.

And in a recent conversation with Crawford at AmFest, he explained just how he reaches those who seem to want to be reached the least.

“How do you explain the gospel to someone who has no Christian contact? They don’t know anything about what you’re talking about,” she asked Crawford.

“I kind of explain it like a murderer, like a criminal. You know, a murderer commits a crime, and if the police officer arrested them and then took them to doughnuts and coffee, you’d be like, ‘That’s a little weird. No, the murderer deserves jail!’” Crawford explained.

“And in the same way a murderer deserves jail and deserves to be punished is the same way you and I deserve to be punished, because you don’t have to teach a 4-year-old to be selfish and not share and pitch fits and hit the mom or hit the dad when they’re upset,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter how good of a parent you are. It’s in their nature. But it’s a gift from God that God substitutes his wrath on us with his grace. And I think the ultimate thing for me is explaining forgiveness. You know, forgiveness is canceling the debt someone owes you. And God has canceled the debt that we owe Him with His life,” he added.

While Crawford has had a lot of great conversations with those whom he disagrees with, he has had a few that have momentarily stumped him.

“I talked to the Hebrew Israelites a lot,” he told Stuckey, explaining that this specific group believes that “if you’re not black, you’re going to hell, basically.”

“It’s hard to talk with people that are prideful and that take Scripture out of context. You know what I mean? And so, I just say, ‘Okay, thank you,’ or, ‘Oh, I don’t know, but this is what I do know,’” he explained.

“The Holy Spirit can take over and give you words, but we can’t let false doctrine sway us aside. Those guys can be a little iffy,” he added.

Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey?

To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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America’s past energy weakness wasn’t accidental. It was a result of misguided political pressure.

While Washington politicians congratulated themselves on “green leadership,” they systematically strangled the most energy‑rich state in the nation: Alaska. The result has been higher costs, increased foreign dependence, and a national security posture that makes our adversaries smile.

Alaska proves what Washington refuses to admit: You can develop resources responsibly, or you outsource damage to others.

Revitalizing the Alaskan oil industry is the key to reversing these costly mistakes.

The Trans‑Alaska Pipeline System was built after the 1973 Arab oil embargo made the danger of foreign dependence painfully clear. Authorized by Congress and completed in 1977, the 800‑mile pipeline has moved more than 17 billion barrels of oil to U.S. markets.

At its peak, TAPS delivered over 2 million barrels per day, dramatically reducing reliance on OPEC and reinforcing American energy security. It funded public services, created tens of thousands of jobs, and helped stabilize global markets — all while operating under some of the toughest environmental standards in the world.

The truth about foreign energy dependence

The United States still imports billions of barrels of oil every year. Roughly 20%of our petroleum needs are met by foreign suppliers. While Canada and Mexico are reliable partners, global pricing and supply remain hostage to instability in the Middle East and geopolitical maneuvering by OPEC+.

This instability is the cost of blocking domestic development. If America won’t produce energy, others will — often with weaker labor laws, worse environmental practices, and profits flowing to regimes aligned against U.S. interests.

Environmental activism does not stop the demand, but it does decrease American leverage.

In Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain alone holds an estimated 7.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil, with total North Slope reserves exceeding 10 billion barrels. Development could deliver up to 1.2 million barrels per day at peak production — enough to materially offset foreign imports and extend the life of TAPS.

This untapped potential is why restrictions on Alaska energy development were so destructive. They ignored economic reality and national defense in favor of ideology.

Recent deregulatory efforts show the correct path forward: Open ANWR and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, streamline permitting, modernize infrastructure, expand offshore access, and invest in liquid natural gas for both domestic use and exports to allies.

Cheap energy is a conservative value

Affordable energy lowers grocery bills, keeps manufacturing competitive, restrains inflation, and allows young families to build lives without fleeing high‑cost states. It is no coincidence that states with affordable energy policies attract investment and jobs while those with ideological energy policies hemorrhage both.

Alaska understands this reality very well. In a cold, remote state, energy reliability is not optional. That same realism should guide national policy.

Natural gas, large‑scale hydro, clean coal, and next‑generation nuclear are the way forward. They don’t collapse during cold snaps. They don’t require permanent subsidies. And they work at scale.

A country that depends on foreign energy can be easily manipulated and destabilized. A country that exports energy sets its own terms.

Alaska’s location makes it a critical asset. LNG exports from Alaska strengthen allies while undercutting Russian influence and Chinese leverage. Continuing to restrain the state’s energy potential does nothing but weaken America and strengthen our rivals.

RELATED: What’s Greenland to us?

Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

The choice in front of us

Critics repeat the same tired scare tactics, but reality tells a different story.

Wildlife adapted around the Trans‑Alaska Pipeline. Fisheries can easily coexist with modern development. Today’s monitoring, engineering, and land management dramatically exceed anything available a generation ago.

Alaska proves what Washington refuses to admit: You can develop resources responsibly, or you outsource damage to others.

America can keep pretending that energy comes from press releases and foreign tankers, or we can reclaim the proven model that once made it strong: Produce at home under American rules, for American families.

The path to energy independence doesn’t run through climate conferences or regulatory delay. It runs through Alaska.

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