A Georgia Democrat has been indicted on one count of making false statements in connection with a federal pandemic unemployment application.
Former State Rep. Karen Bennett has become the second Georgia Democrat in recent weeks to face fraud charges tied to pandemic assistance programs.
According to the Monday indictment, prosecutors allege that in May 2020, Bennett applied for benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which was created to provide relief for workers affected by the pandemic who did not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance.
In her filing, Bennett reported two sources of employment: her role as a member of the Georgia General Assembly and her position as a physical therapist for Metro Therapy Providers, Inc., an in-home therapy company she owned.
The indictment states that Bennett claimed she could not perform her duties at the therapy company because COVID-19 quarantine restrictions prevented operations.
Federal prosecutors argue that representation was inaccurate, asserting that Bennett worked from a home office and did not conduct in-person client visits, meaning her work was not halted to the extent she described.
As a result of the allegedly false representations, Bennett reportedly received $13,940 in PUA benefits and federal supplements to which she was not entitled.
Bennett pleaded not guilty during her initial court appearance on Monday and was released on a $10,000 bond.
If convicted on the single federal count of making false statements, she faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 under federal sentencing guidelines.
Bennett previously represented House District 94, which covers portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties in the Atlanta metro area, including communities such as Stone Mountain, Lithonia, parts of Ellenwood and Redan, and segments of Snellville, as well as nearby unincorporated areas.
She served six terms before retiring on January 1, 2026, ahead of the start of the new legislative session.
During her tenure, Bennett sat on committees including Health, and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, and participated in DeKalb and Gwinnett legislative delegations.
She also served as vice chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Region VI and took part in local community health initiatives.
Monday’s indictment follows a separate federal case brought last month against Georgia State Rep. Sharon Henderson, also a Democrat, who was charged with two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements related to alleged fraudulent claims for federal unemployment benefits.
According to prosecutors, Henderson applied for benefits in June 2020 while campaigning for a House seat, falsely claiming she had been laid off from Henry County Schools due to the pandemic.
The indictment states she had only worked as a substitute teacher for five days in 2018 and had not been employed by the district since, and that her contract explicitly noted substitute positions were not eligible for unemployment benefits.
Prosecutors allege Henderson continued submitting weekly certifications of unemployment, including eight claims filed in June 2021 after she had already been sworn into office, ultimately collecting $17,811 in benefits.
Both cases remain pending in federal court.
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