Karen L. Bennett, a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to obtain emergency 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, “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.”
According to court documents presented by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and other information shared in court proceedings: In 2020 Congress created special unemployment compensation programs due to COVID-19’s economic impact. Applicants were required to provide accurate work histories and confirm that their unemployment was caused by COVID-19 disruptions.
While representing District 94 in 2020, Bennett applied for pandemic unemployment benefits between March and August 2020. She claimed her only income was $300 per week from legislative duties; she also reported being unable to return to Metro Therapy Providers Inc., citing COVID-19 protocols, and asserted she was seeking other employment.
However, evidence showed that Bennett received a regular paycheck from church employment totaling $905 weekly during this period. She also owned Metro Therapy Providers Inc., performing administrative tasks remotely both before and during the pandemic while continuing business operations from home without interruption or job search efforts.
As a result of these misrepresentations on applications and weekly certifications, Bennett received $13,940 in benefits she was not entitled to.
Bennett has pleaded guilty at age 70 in Stone Mountain, Georgia; sentencing is set for April 15, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
The investigation involved multiple 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 case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia led this prosecution as part of its role as principal federal law enforcement agency serving over seven million residents across north Georgia—including Atlanta—and handling cases with national reach (see official website). The office coordinates criminal prosecutions like this one alongside civil cases involving federal interests (source).
In May 2021 the Attorney General established a COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force within DOJ partnerships across government agencies focused on investigating pandemic-related fraud schemes nationwide.
Anyone with information about attempted fraud related to COVID-19 can contact authorities via phone or online complaint form provided by DOJ’s National Center for Disaster Fraud.
For further information about this case or related matters contact the Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or visit the official website.
