Former State Representative Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta) resigned from the Georgia House of Representatives this past Monday, just two days before pleading guilty in federal court to a felony charge of making false statements to obtain pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
The Details of the Case:
The Fraud: Sharper admitted to fraudulently collecting $13,825 in unemployment assistance between April 2020 and May 2021.
The Deception: Federal prosecutors revealed that while Sharper claimed to be out of work and without income in 38 separate weekly certifications, he was actually earning money from at least three sources: his salary as a state representative, his private business (Dexter Sharper Party Rental), and his work as a musician.
The Impact: U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg noted that while many constituents were facing genuine economic hardship, Sharper “pretended to be out of work to collect a share of benefits for himself,” violating the public trust.
Legal and Professional Consequences: Sharper, who has served in the General Assembly since 2012 and previously served as Valdosta’s Mayor Pro Tem, now faces a maximum of five years in prison and fines up to $250,000. As part of his plea agreement, the government has recommended he pay $10,096 in restitution.
In his resignation letter to Governor Brian Kemp, Sharper stated the decision was in the “best interest of my constituents” as he moves to resolve his legal matters. His formal sentencing is scheduled for July 21, 2026. Sharper is the second Georgia Democratic lawmaker to plead guilty this year in a broader federal crackdown on pandemic-era fraud involving public officials.
At a recent Tifton Rotary Club meeting, Tift County Commission Chairman Tony McBrayer and County Manager Jim Carter provided a “good cop, bad cop” update on the county’s achievements and the shifting tax landscape. The overarching theme was one of self-sufficiency and strategic growth.
The county is seeing the fruits of a $16 million investment in recreation.
E.B. Hamilton Sports Complex: A grand opening is set for April 6 at 5:30 p.m., featuring a parade of athletes and community festivities following a massive renovation.
Courthouse Expansion: A $40 million project is underway to remodel the current courthouse and build a new annex. Notably, the county will complete this without borrowing funds, utilizing its surplus instead.
Election Central: The former Tifton Gazette building is being repurposed. It will serve as a temporary courtroom during renovations before becoming the permanent “Election Central.”
Chairman McBrayer revealed that Tift County’s surplus fund now sits at nearly $43 million.
Smart Budgeting: While 2025 revenues were $500,000 below projections, expenditures were slashed by $3 million, allowing the county to add $2.5 million to its reserves.
Ending the Debt Cycle: This surplus allows the county to cover its $3 million monthly operating costs during the months before property taxes are collected, eliminating the need for short-term loans.
County Manager Jim Carter addressed House Bill 1116 (the HOME Act), which could cap annual property tax increases at 3% (linked to inflation) to provide homeowner relief.
While such caps can strain local budgets, Carter noted that Tift County has a unique “secret weapon”: Interstate 75.
Nonresident Revenue: A Valdosta State University study shows that 50% to 55% of Tift County’s sales tax comes from people living outside the county.
Tax Relief: This high volume of traveler spending allows the county to offset property tax relief for local residents, a luxury not shared by neighboring counties like Colquitt that lack major interstate access.
Irwin County Coroner Brandon Fletcher is facing a wave of legal trouble after being arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) on 22 felony counts and three misdemeanors. While Fletcher has served as Coroner since 2014 and was recently re-elected, the allegations stem from his dual role as the county’s Public Safety Director.
Key Allegations & Investigation Details:
Abuse of Office: The investigation focuses on Fletcher’s oversight of Emergency Management Services (EMS). Authorities believe he used his position to misappropriate county resources.
The Charges: The 25-count warrant includes:
9 counts of felony theft by taking.
6 counts of felony financial transaction card fraud (alleging misuse of county-issued cards).
4 counts of felony criminal use of an article with an altered ID mark (often related to tracking or serial numbers on equipment).
3 counts of felony false statements.
3 counts of misdemeanor tax evasion/fraudulent use of exemption certificates.
The Search: During a search of Fletcher’s residence, investigators seized various items, including industrial power tools believed to be county property.
Professional Background: Fletcher was a long-standing figure in regional public safety, having served four years in a similar leadership role in Ben Hill County before his seven-year stint as Irwin’s Public Safety Director. He was relieved of those specific administrative duties in November 2025 when the probe began, though he remained the elected Coroner.
Current Status: Following his arrest, Fletcher was booked into the Irwin County Detention Center. Under Georgia law, the Governor may appoint a commission to determine if the felony charges interfere with his ability to perform his duties as Coroner, which could lead to a suspension pending the outcome of the trial.
When a local or state official is indicted for a felony in Georgia, they aren’t always immediately removed from office. Here is how the process works under O.C.G.A. § 45-5-6:
The Special Commission: Upon receiving a felony indictment of a public official, the Governor appoints a special three-person commission (typically the Attorney General and two other officials in the same type of office).
The Evaluation: The commission has 14 days to determine if the indictment “relates to and adversely affects” the administration of the office.
Suspension vs. Resignation:
If the commission recommends it, the Governor can suspend the official with pay (until a conviction occurs, at which point pay stops).
Many officials, like Dexter Sharper, choose to resign voluntarily to avoid this public process or as part of a plea deal.
Reinstatement: If the official is acquitted or the charges are dropped, they are immediately reinstated and receive any withheld compensation.
A powerful cold front swept through South Georgia early Thursday morning, March 12, triggering a series of Tornado Warnings and high-wind alerts. While the “Tiftarea” saw significant structural damage, the day was defined more by the swift, volunteer-led cleanup that followed.
The Storm by the Numbers:
Peak Intensity: The UGA Weather Network recorded a maximum wind gust of 61.4 mph in Tift County at 7:21 a.m., just as the heaviest line of storms moved through.
Worth County Impact: Sylvester and surrounding areas were among the hardest hit. The Worth County Sheriff’s Office reported widespread blockages from fallen trees and irrigation pivots—a major concern for local agriculture.
Power Grid: Georgia Power worked through the afternoon to repair a main line down in Sylvester. While many businesses were unable to process payments for hours, crews worked to restore service to over 1,000 customers affected across the region.
Georgia’s trucking, farming, and logistics industries are facing a severe economic squeeze as diesel prices skyrocket. The surge follows the recent escalation of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which has effectively halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for 21% of the world’s daily oil supply.
The Local Cost:
Diesel Spike: As of Thursday, March 12, Georgia’s average diesel price hit $4.99 per gallon, an 85-cent jump in just one week. Some metro areas, including Athens and Atlanta, have already seen prices top the $5.00 mark.
Gasoline Trends: Regular unleaded gasoline has also risen, averaging $3.45, up 70 cents from last month. Analysts note that this “pain at the pump” is being compounded by the seasonal shift to more expensive summer-blend gasoline.
A Historic Disruption: Global crude oil prices briefly touched $119 per barrel this week. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that this represents the “largest supply disruption in history,” surpassing even the 1973 oil crisis.
Ingenuity on the Streets: The rising costs have led to some creative, if unconventional, solutions. In Atlanta, a motorist known as SOTA has gained viral attention for “parking” his full-sized vehicle in favor of a modified kids’ motorized car.
“It cost me exactly $0.36 to fill the tank today,” SOTA reported. Powered by a small power-washer engine, the souped-up go-kart allows him to navigate the city for roughly $2 a day, highlighting the desperate measures some are taking as traditional commuting costs become unsustainable.
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