The Ark-La-Tex Gazette

By Kirkpatrick Williams, Ph.D.
March 14, 2026 |  ATLANTA, GA 

A former member of the Georgia House of Representatives has pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to obtain pandemic-era unemployment benefits, according to federal prosecutors.

Karen Bennett, a Democrat who represented District 94 until resigning in early 2026, admitted to fraudulently receiving $13,940 through the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program during the COVID-19 crisis. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia said Bennett falsely claimed that pandemic restrictions prevented her from working, even though she continued operating her consulting business and earning income from other activities.

According to court filings, Bennett applied for benefits in 2020 and repeatedly certified that she was unemployed or unable to work due to pandemic conditions. Investigators later determined she continued performing administrative and professional services for her company and also earned income from church-related work that was not disclosed in the unemployment claims.

Federal officials said Bennett has agreed to repay the funds she improperly received. Prosecutors indicated they are not seeking prison time as part of the plea agreement, though sentencing will ultimately be determined by the court.

The case is one of several involving current or former members of the Georgia legislature that emerged from a broader investigation into misuse of pandemic unemployment programs administered by the Georgia Department of Labor and funded by the federal government.

Authorities have also charged Sharon Henderson, a Democratic lawmaker representing the Macon area, with allegedly fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

According to the Georgia Office of Inspector General, Henderson was indicted on multiple counts related to allegedly receiving about $17,800 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments while she continued earning income from employment. Investigators allege she repeatedly certified that she was unemployed or unable to work due to pandemic disruptions while records showed she maintained paid positions during the same period.

The indictment alleges Henderson filed weekly certifications stating she had no earnings when, in fact, investigators say she continued working and receiving compensation. Officials said the false certifications allowed her to receive federal pandemic benefits she was not eligible to obtain.

Henderson has denied wrongdoing through her legal counsel and has said she intends to contest the charges in court. Her case remains pending.

Another investigation has focused on Dexter Sharper, a former legislator who previously served in the Georgia House. Authorities allege Sharper also improperly received unemployment benefits while earning income from other work.

Investigators say Sharper collected approximately $17,000 in pandemic unemployment assistance while continuing to receive wages through employment and other professional activities. According to the allegations, Sharper certified to the state unemployment system that he was unemployed or unable to work due to COVID-19 restrictions, despite evidence indicating that he maintained active income streams during the same timeframe.

Prosecutors say the alleged conduct mirrors patterns uncovered in several pandemic unemployment fraud investigations nationwide, where individuals continued working while certifying they were unemployed in order to receive federal relief funds.

Sharper has publicly disputed the accusations and has said he intends to challenge the allegations through the legal process.

Federal and state investigators say the cases involving Bennett, Henderson, and Sharper illustrate the vulnerabilities of pandemic-era relief programs that were created quickly to address massive job losses during the COVID-19 crisis.

Programs such as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance were designed to provide emergency financial support to self-employed workers, contractors, and others who normally would not qualify for traditional unemployment benefits. Applicants were required to certify weekly that they remained unemployed or unable to work because of pandemic-related disruptions.

However, investigators across the country later uncovered widespread fraud involving both organized criminal groups and individual applicants who misrepresented their employment status.

Officials say investigations into potential misuse of pandemic relief funds remain ongoing, with federal and state authorities continuing to audit claims and pursue cases where evidence suggests fraud occurred.

For Georgia’s political leadership, the cases have also raised questions about accountability among public officials entrusted with administering or overseeing government programs designed to assist citizens during a national emergency.