Federal prosecutors on Monday charged former Georgia state House member Karen Bennett with one count of making false statements to collect $13,940 in federal pandemic unemployment benefits, making her the second Georgia Democratic legislator accused of defrauding a COVID-era aid program. Bennett, of Stone Mountain, waived indictment, pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail after a federal court appearance. She had resigned from the House the previous Thursday.
Bennett’s charges extend a widening federal investigation of Georgia state House members who collected pandemic unemployment benefits. U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in December that other legislators remained under investigation beyond the two charged, leaving open the possibility of additional charges.
The Charges
Prosecutors said Bennett, a physical therapist, lied in 2020 when she stated she was being prevented by quarantine from working for Metro Therapy Providers, a company she owned. In reality, prosecutors said, her role with the company was administrative and she worked from a home office rather than providing therapy to clients. Metro Therapy Providers continued operating and generating income after a brief disruption, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors also said Bennett failed to disclose she was receiving $905 in weekly pay from a church. Bennett has been a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The federal government paid special unemployment benefits during the pandemic through state unemployment systems to people who lost their jobs because of COVID-19. Applicants were required to certify each week that they remained unemployed to claim benefits.
Attorneys for Bennett did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. In federal court, waiving indictment is often a prelude to a defendant pleading guilty.
A Second Democrat Charged
Bennett was first elected in 2012 and represented a district covering parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.
Rep. Sharon Henderson, a Covington Democrat, was indicted in December on charges of theft of government funds and making false statements, accused of illegally collecting $17,811 in unemployment benefits. Henderson is free on bail and remains in office.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet appointed a review commission to determine whether Henderson should be suspended from office following her indictment.
Impact on the House
Democrats are likely to start the legislative session with 79 members in the 180-member House. In addition to Bennett, Democratic state Rep. Lynn Heffner of Augusta resigned Monday, saying her house was heavily damaged in 2024’s Hurricane Helene and that rebuilding has reached an “impasse,” casting doubt on whether Heffner could maintain residency in House District 130, which includes parts of Augusta.
Kemp must now call special elections to replace both Bennett and Heffner. It is unclear if their successors will be seated before the regular session ends.