The Justice Department indicted a former Georgia state lawmaker for allegedly fraudulently collecting close to $14,000 in pandemic-era tied unemployment benefits.
Karen Bennett, who submitted resignation to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp at the end of last year after 12 years of service, is accused of knowingly giving false information in her application for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, allowing her to collect a total of $13,940.
Bennett applied for the PUA benefits in May 2020 after her application for Unemployment Insurance benefits was denied. In her application, Bennett claimed she was prevented from doing her duties at Metro Therapy because she was “unable to reach” her “place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency,” according to the charging document obtained by Fox News Digital.
She stated that her last day of work was April 10, 2020. In her application she said her role at Metro Therapy, which she listed as “her primary occupation and primary means of livelihood,” consisted of “providing in-home physical therapy services.”
“In reality, Bennett was not prevented from performing her work for Metro Therapy or reaching her place of employment because of COVID-19 quarantine,” the filing continued.
“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.”
“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,” the document continued.
Prosecutors shared that after being approved for the benefits, Bennett would submit online certifications for every week she would request benefits. Bennett disclosed that she was receiving a $300 weekly paycheck from the General Assemble, but “she disclosed no other income.” She also stated she was actively seeking work.
“She submitted such certifications for weeks in March through August 2020. However, in reality, Bennett was not actively seeking work, Bennett was not prevented from working for Metro Therapy because of a COVID-19 quarantine, and Metro Therapy was still operating and receiving income,” the document stated.
Prosecutors also allege that she “ failed to disclose and concealed that she had separate employment through a church and was receiving a paycheck from the church for $905 every week the entire time she was claiming PUA benefits.”
Bennett pleaded not guilty to the charge of making false statements and is currently out on a $10,000 bail.
National Headline
