A former Georgia state representative now faces federal charges, accused of fraudulently claiming nearly $14,000 in pandemic-era unemployment assistance. Karen Bennett, who represented District 94 for twelve years, abruptly announced her “retirement” just weeks ago, a decision now shadowed by these serious allegations.
According to court filings, Bennett applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in May 2020, stating she worked for the Georgia General Assembly and Metro Therapy, a private physical therapy business. She claimed her work at Metro Therapy was her primary source of income and that the pandemic had completely halted her ability to provide services.
However, prosecutors allege this was a fabrication. Bennett’s role at Metro Therapy was primarily administrative, conducted from her home office – a job she could continue uninterrupted throughout the pandemic. The claim of a COVID-19 related quarantine preventing her from working was demonstrably false.
The filings detail how Bennett consistently certified her eligibility for benefits, reporting a $300 weekly income from the General Assembly while failing to disclose any other earnings. She even asserted she was actively seeking other employment, a claim prosecutors dispute.
Further investigation revealed a significant omission: Bennett concealed income from a separate job at a church, receiving a consistent $905 weekly paycheck throughout the entire period she was collecting PUA benefits. This deliberate concealment forms a key part of the government’s case.
Bennett pleaded not guilty to a charge of making false statements and was released on a $10,000 bond. Her legal representatives have not yet publicly responded to the accusations.
The timing of these charges is striking, coming shortly after Bennett penned a letter praising her years of service and expressing a “labor of love” for her work in the Georgia General Assembly. The letter, penned just before her announced retirement, now carries a different weight.
This case isn’t isolated. Another Georgia state Democrat, Representative Sharon Henderson, recently faced similar charges, suggesting a broader investigation into potential fraud related to pandemic unemployment programs within the state.
The allegations paint a picture of a calculated scheme to exploit a system designed to help those genuinely impacted by the economic fallout of the pandemic, raising serious questions about integrity and accountability in public service.
