Karen L. Bennett, a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, has pleaded guilty to making false statements in order to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars in pandemic unemployment assistance payments. Bennett resigned from her legislative position on January 1, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, “Bennett was elected to represent her fellow citizens and took a solemn oath to promote the best interests and prosperity of the State of Georgia. Instead, she violated that oath and, during an unprecedented emergency, lied to line her own pockets with taxpayer money intended to help community members in need.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, commented on the case: “Public trust is fundamental to our system of government, and elected officials are expected to uphold the law—not exploit it. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable anyone who abuses emergency relief programs, especially those who knowingly divert critical assistance away from individuals and families who truly need it during times of crisis.”
Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General said, “Karen Bennett, while serving her constituents as an elected member of the Georgia House of Representatives, unlawfully enriched herself with taxpayer funds from an unemployment program intended to assist American workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. We will continue our efforts to investigate and bring to justice all who defraud taxpayers by exploiting Department of Labor programs.”
Nigel Lange, Inspector General for the State of Georgia Office of Inspector General added: “Karen Bennett lied to obtain personal benefits and as an elected official should rightfully be considered the lowest of the low. Her sentencing should serve as a warning for others who have taken an oath of office that there is zero tolerance for this type of crime in Georgia.”
Court documents show that in 2020 Congress created special unemployment compensation programs due to COVID-19-related economic hardship. Applicants were required to certify their employment status each week and confirm that COVID-19 was responsible for their unemployment.
While serving as representative for District 94 in 2020, Bennett applied for pandemic unemployment benefits from March through August 2020. She claimed only $300 per week earnings from the Georgia General Assembly and stated she could not return to Metro Therapy Providers Inc., citing COVID-19 protocols; she also reported actively seeking other work.
Investigators found Bennett concealed additional income—she received $905 weekly from church employment—and failed to disclose she was sole owner and active operator (from home) at Metro Therapy Providers Inc., which continued generating revenue during this period.
As a result, Bennett collected $13,940 in pandemic unemployment benefits she was not entitled to receive.
Bennett pleaded guilty to making false statements regarding funds administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
The case is being investigated by several agencies including the Georgia Office of State Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford is prosecuting.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency across north Georgia—including Atlanta suburbs—and handles criminal prosecutions as well as civil cases involving millions of residents according to its official website. The office coordinates with local and national agencies on cases with broad impact and maintains its main location in Atlanta.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established a task force focused on combating pandemic-related fraud by enhancing investigative coordination among federal agencies.
Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19 fraud can contact authorities via phone or online complaint form provided by the Department of Justice.
