A former Georgia Democratic lawmaker has been indicted after her involvement in a COVID-19 fraud scheme, nearly six years after receiving roughly $14,000 in pandemic-era unemployment benefits.
Former Georgia state Rep. Karen Bennett was charged with one count of making false statements in connection with the scheme after a federal grand jury issued the indictment on Monday. She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Bennett is the second Georgia Democrat to face federal charges for allegedly exploiting the COVID-19 relief program. Georgia state Rep. Sharon Henderson was charged last month.
In the latter case, federal prosecutors accuse Bennett of lying on her application for COVID-19 unemployment relief. She claimed her job included providing in-home physical therapy at her company, Metro Therapy Providers, and that she was unable to perform her job because of pandemic guidance. Prosecutors said she was able to work without a problem.
“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,” the court document says. “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.”
Additionally, prosecutors alleged she did not fully report her income by failing to disclose separate employment through a church that paid her over $900 each week while she received unemployment benefits. She also earned $300 per week from the Georgia General Assembly during this period.
After pleading not guilty, the defendant was released from jail on a $10,000 bond.
At the start of the new year, Bennett retired from her seat. She did not provide a reason for her departure.
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“It has been a distinct honor to serve the people of Georgia and the constituents of the 94th House District,” Bennett wrote in a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA). “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 I will deeply miss.”
At some point, Kemp will declare a special election to fill Bennett’s vacant seat. The retired lawmaker was first elected in 2012 to represent the Georgia district that covers parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties near Atlanta.
