2nd GA Rep. Charged With Pandemic Fraud: Reports

ATLANTA, GA — A now former Georgia representative accused of unlawfully accepting $14,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits is facing charges, media reports say.

Karen Bennett, D-Stone Mountain, resigned from her post merely days before she was charged with one count of making false statements, the Georgia Recorder reported.

In May 2020, she was reportedly accused of filing "for federal pandemic relief funds listing two employers, the state General Assembly and Metro Therapy," though she was suspected of collecting $905 weekly from work at a church.

“Before the pandemic her actual role with Metro Therapy was an administrative one and she worked from her home office; she did not provide in-home services for clients,” charging documents from the U.S. District Court in Atlanta read, per the Recorder.

“She was not prohibited from reaching her home office because of the pandemic. She was able to continue working as usual from her home to support Metro Therapy throughout the pandemic, and the therapists who provided actual services to clients were able to continue their work after a brief disruption.”

RELATED: GA Lawmaker Arrested In $17K Federal Fraud Case

Bennett sent Gov. Brian Kemp a resignation letter on Dec. 30, 2025, declaring her intent to resign on New Year's Day, WAGA-TV reported. She was officially charged on Monday, reports say.

"It has been a distinct honor to serve the people of Georgia and the constituents of the 94th House district," she wrote in the letter shared by WAGA-TV. “I am proud of the work accomplished by the Georgia General Assembly when we came together to advance policies that strengthened our state and improved the lives of all Georgians. Serving in this capacity has truly been a labor of love and one that I will miss.”

Bennett, whose occupation is listed as physical therapist, was first elected to office in 2012. She is the second House Democrat to be hit with charges relating to pandemic unemployment fraud.

Georgia House Rep. Sharon Henderson was arrested on Dec. 8, 2025 after being accused of fraudulently accepting more than $17,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits.

Henderson, D-113, was accused of unlawfully collecting $17,811 in unemployment benefits. She faces charges of two counts of theft of government funds and 10 counts of making false statements, justice officials said at the time.