Karen L. Bennett (born January 10, 1956) is an American politician. She was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 94th District, from 2013 to 2025.[1]
Karen Bennett | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2018 | |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 94th district | |
| In office January 14, 2013 – December 31, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Dar'shun Kendrick |
| Succeeded by | Venola Mason |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 10, 1956 |
| Party | Democratic |
Bennett has sponsored 150 bills.[2] She is a member of the Democratic party.[3][4]
Legal issues
editOn January 5, 2026, Bennett was indicted by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on one count of making false statements in connection with benefits.[5][6] The charges allege that between March and August 2020, she fraudulently obtained approximately $13,940 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits by falsely claiming that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her work as a physical therapist with Metro Therapy Providers, Inc., and by failing to disclose weekly income of approximately $905 from employment with a church.[7][8]
Prosecutors stated that Bennett's role at Metro Therapy Providers was administrative and performed from a home office, allowing the business to continue operating with only a brief disruption.[9] Bennett initially pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10,000 bond.[10] She later pleaded guilty.[11] She became the second Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives to face similar federal charges related to pandemic-era unemployment benefits, following Rep. Sharon Henderson in December 2025.[12]
References
edit- ↑ "Two Georgia Democratic state legislators leave seats just ahead of 2026 session". 11Alive.com. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Karen Bennett". Open States. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Karen Bennett". House.Ga.gov. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Karen Bennett". Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- ↑ "Second state lawmaker charged with pandemic fraud". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Feds charge former Georgia lawmaker for allegedly faking COVID-19 job loss". FOX 5 Atlanta. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Former Georgia state representative indicted for alleged pandemic fraud". Atlanta News First. January 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Another Georgia state lawmaker accused of pandemic fraud". 11Alive. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "A second Georgia House Democrat is accused of unemployment fraud". Georgia Recorder. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Second Georgia Dem state lawmaker indicted for alleged COVID-19 unemployment fraud". WABE. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Former Georgia State Representative Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Scheme". United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Second state lawmaker charged with pandemic fraud". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 5, 2026.
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