Georgia Lawmaker Charged for Pandemic Unemployment Fraud

Fri Jan 09 2026 07:59:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Karen Bennett, a former Georgia state representative, has been charged with making false statements to illegally collect $13,940 in federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic. This marks the second instance of a Georgia House member facing such charges.

Federal prosecutors have charged Karen Bennett, a former Georgia state House member, with fraudulently obtaining federal unemployment benefits linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bennett allegedly misrepresented her employment situation to access $13,940 in funds while her business operated normally. This follows similar charges against another former House member, Sharon Henderson. Both resignations add to the scrutiny of lawmakers involved in pandemic-related fraud investigations.

ATLANTA — Karen Bennett, a former member of the Georgia state House, has been indicted for allegedly lying to collect federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Bennett, who represented parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, is accused of making false statements to unlawfully receive $13,940 during a time when many individuals were struggling due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Charges were filed on Monday, and Bennett waived indictment, pleading not guilty before being released on $10,000 bail. Her attorney has yet to comment publicly, but the waiver is often indicative of potential plea negotiations in federal cases.

Bennett resigned from her position on Thursday, having served since 2012. She is the second Democratic representative in Georgia to face criminal charges related to unemployment fraud during the pandemic. Earlier, Sharon Henderson was charged with collecting $17,811 unlawfully, and while she remains in office, questions loom about her future.

Federal investigators are also reportedly looking into other state representatives regarding similar allegations. Prosecutors claim Bennett lied about her employment status, asserting she was unable to work due to quarantine, while she continued to manage her administrative role at Metro Therapy Providers from home. The company reportedly continued to operate and generate income during the period in question.

Additionally, Bennett is said to have failed to report weekly income of $905 from her role as a minister with a church. During the pandemic, the federal government distributed enhanced unemployment benefits, which required applicants to verify their employment status weekly.

As a result of the ongoing investigations and the resignation of Bennett and other officials, Georgia's Democratic representation may shift, calling for special elections to fill the gaps left in the House.