Second Georgia Legislator Charged in Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Case

Fri Jan 09 2026 12:39:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Karen Bennett faces indictment for allegedly providing false information to secure over $13,900 in federal unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karen Bennett, a former state representative in Georgia, has been charged with making false statements to illegally collect $13,940 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Prosecutors allege she misrepresented her work situation while continuing to operate her therapy business. She is the second state lawmaker facing similar accusations, following a December indictment of Rep. Sharon Henderson.

ATLANTA (AP) — A second former Georgia state House member has been accused of lying to collect federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

Federal prosecutors filed charges Monday against Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain, accusing her of one count of making false statements to collect $13,940.

Bennett waived indictment, pleaded not guilty, and was released on $10,000 bail after a Monday court appearance.

Her attorneys did not respond to an email seeking comment, but legal experts note that waiving an indictment is often a precursor to a potential guilty plea.

Bennett, a Democrat who resigned from the House last Thursday, represented a district that includes parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Elected in 2012, she has now become embroiled in a serious controversy.

She is the second Democrat in the state legislature charged with fraud related to pandemic unemployment assistance. In December, Rep. Sharon Henderson of Covington was indicted for allegedly illegally collecting $17,811 in similar benefits and is currently out on bail but remains in office. Governor Brian Kemp has yet to decide on whether to suspend Henderson following the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg mentioned in December that other Georgia legislators are also under investigation, raising concerns about potential further charges in the future.

Prosecutors state that Bennett falsely claimed in 2020 that she was unable to work due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions while actually serving in an administrative role at her own business, Metro Therapy Providers, which continued to operate after a temporary disruption. Additionally, it is alleged that she failed to disclose receiving $905 in weekly income from her ministerial duties in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The federal government had provided special unemployment benefits during the pandemic to those who lost their jobs due to COVID-19, with applicants required to certify their unemployment status each week to collect assistance.

Following Bennett's resignation, the House now consists of 79 Democrats out of 180 members. Additionally, Democratic Rep. Lynn Heffner of Augusta also resigned, citing extensive damage to her home from Hurricane Helene in 2024, leading to uncertainty about her residency in her district.

Governor Kemp must now call for special elections to fill the vacant seats left by both Bennett and Heffner. As of now, it remains unclear if their replacements will assume office before the regular session concludes.