Former Georgia state representative Karen L. Bennett has been indicted for allegedly making false statements to collect pandemic unemployment benefits. Bennett, who represented House District 94, is accused of submitting fraudulent claims to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides aid to individuals ineligible for regular unemployment insurance due to COVID-19 job losses.
Former Georgia state representative Karen L. Bennett has been indicted for allegedly making false statements to collect pandemic unemployment benefits. Bennett, who represented House District 94, is accused of submitting fraudulent claims to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides aid to individuals ineligible for regular unemployment insurance due to COVID-19 job losses, as per FOX 5 Atlanta.
According to CBS News Atlanta, Bennett was initially denied regular unemployment insurance on April 30, 2020, and subsequently applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. In her application and weekly certifications, she stated she was unable to work due to quarantine restrictions and a significant reduction in work. Authorities say these claims were false, noting that Bennett continued working and was not actively seeking employment while receiving benefits.
Bennett’s indictment follows her retirement from the Georgia House of Representatives on January 1, 2026, as announced in a last Tuesday letter to Governor Brian Kemp. In the letter, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve District 94. Federal prosecutors are seeking a money judgment for the total PUA benefits she received and may pursue additional property forfeiture.
Georgia State Representative Sharon Henderson has also been charged with unlawfully collecting nearly $18,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits. Authorities allege she falsely reported being employed by the school system up until the pandemic shutdowns in her application and weekly certifications. Both cases are being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with court dates yet to be scheduled.
