Pandemic Fraud Charges Hit Another Georgia Lawmaker as Unemployment Claims Scrutinized

Fri Jan 09 2026 07:57:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Karen Bennett, a former state House representative from Georgia, faces federal charges for allegedly lying to collect over $13,000 in unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a concerning trend among lawmakers.

Federal prosecutors have indicted Karen Bennett, a former Democratic state representative from Georgia, for fraudulently obtaining $13,940 in federal unemployment benefits, making her the second state House member accused of such actions following Sharon Henderson's indictment last year. Bennett, who resigned from office, is accused of misrepresenting her work status and failure to disclose additional income. This revelation raises questions about the integrity of public officials amidst pandemic relief measures.

ATLANTA – A former Georgia state lawmaker, Karen Bennett, is facing federal charges of making false statements to collect $13,940 in federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Bennett, who appeared in court recently, waived indictment and pleaded not guilty, securing her release on a $10,000 bail.

This indictment follows the case of another Georgia representative, Sharon Henderson, who was charged in December with theft of government funds for allegedly collecting $17,811 in unlawful unemployment benefits. Both lawmakers are part of a growing inquiry into fraud in pandemic assistance programs by Georgia state officials.

U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg noted that investigations are ongoing, suggesting that more charges may arise as the scrutiny of public officials continues. Prosecutors argue that Bennett misled authorities about her employment status with her firm, Metro Therapy Providers, falsely claiming she was unable to work due to quarantine restrictions, despite continuing to receive payments and working from home during that time.

Furthermore, she allegedly failed to disclose weekly income from her duties as a minister, which added to the deceitful nature of her claims. The charges and resignations from this incident have implications for the Democratic majority in the Georgia House, prompting the governor to call special elections to fill the vacancies.

With the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to unprecedented federal benefits, the legal challenges faced by Bennett and Henderson highlight the complexities and vulnerabilities of the unemployment insurance system designed to offer relief during economic crises.