The second Georgia state lawmaker accused of falsifying information to secure federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic has stepped down from her role.

Karen Bennett, hailing from Stone Mountain, around 20 miles outside Atlanta, faces a charge of making false statements in order to receive $13,940, according to recent reports.

At her initial court hearing, Bennett chose to waive indictment and entered a plea of not guilty. She was subsequently released on a $10,000 bond. In federal court proceedings, waiving indictment can often indicate an intention to eventually plead guilty.

On Thursday, Bennett, a Democrat who has served since 2012, announced her resignation. She represented parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

Previously representing Georgia’s House District 94, Karen Bennett now confronts federal allegations of fraudulently claiming COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

“I am proud of the work accomplished by the Georgia General Assembly when we came together to advance policies that strengthened our state and improved the lives of all Georgians,” Bennett wrote in a letter obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. “Serving in this capacity has truly been a labor of love, and one I will deeply miss.” 

Prosecutors allege Bennett, who works as a physical therapist, lied when she claimed that, in 2020, she was unable to work for her company, Metro Therapy Providers, due to quarantine restrictions. 

Bennett, however, allegedly served in an administrative role within the company and worked from a home office, rather than providing therapy to clients, according to prosecutors. 

Additionally, prosecutors allege that Metro Therapy continued its operations after a brief disruption during the pandemic and that Bennett failed to add she was receiving a weekly pay of $905 from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served as a minister. 

Georgia Rep. Karen Bennett, D-Stone Mountain, files for re-election March 3, 2014, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Bennett is the second Democratic House member in Georgia to be charged with making false statements to receive federal funds, with prosecutors also charging Rep. Sharon Henderson of Covington with theft of government funds and making false statements in December.

Henderson is accused of illegally collecting $17,811 in federal unemployment benefits and remains in office while free on bail. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has yet to appoint a review commission to independently determine whether Henderson should be suspended from her state position after last month’s indictment.

In the midst of the pandemic, the federal government utilized state employment systems to pay out special unemployment benefits to individuals who lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2024.  (Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Democrats are expected to begin the session on Monday with 79 members in the 180-member House after Democratic state Rep. Lynn Heffner of Augusta also resigned earlier this week. Heffner revealed that her home had been severely damaged in 2024’s Hurricane Helene and that rebuilding has reached an “impasse,” potentially forcing her to move out of House District 130.

Kemp must now call special elections to replace Bennett and Heffner, but it is unclear if their replacements will be seated before the end of the regular session.

Bennett’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.