Second Georgia lawmaker accused of pandemic unemployment fraud resigns

Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain resigned from the Georgia House while facing a federal charge alleging she made false statements to collect $13,940 in pandemic unemployment benefits; she pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.

Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain resigned from the Georgia House while facing a federal charge alleging she made false statements to collect pandemic unemployment benefits. Prosecutors allege she reported she could not work in 2020 but in fact served in an administrative role and received other weekly pay. Bennett waived indictment at an initial court appearance, pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail. Her departure follows another recent resignation and creates at least one vacancy in the chamber. Key facts: - Federal prosecutors charge Bennett with one count of making false statements related to $13,940 in pandemic unemployment benefits. - At an initial court appearance she waived indictment, pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail; she also resigned from the seat she had held since 2012. - Governor Brian Kemp must call special elections to fill Bennett's seat and another recently vacated seat, and it is unclear whether replacements will be seated before the regular session ends. Summary: Bennett's resignation leaves at least one vacancy in the Georgia House and requires the governor to schedule special elections. Federal court proceedings are pending after her initial appearance. It is undetermined at this time whether a replacement will be seated before the end of the legislative session.