Another Purple State Democrat Congresswoman Gets Indicted For Massive Fraud - The American Tribune.com
Former Democratic Georgia Rep. Karen Bennett resigned effective Jan. 1, 2026, days before facing federal charges alleging that she fraudulently obtained nearly $14,000 in COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits by falsely claiming her in-home physical therapy work was disrupted, while her role was actually administrative and conducted from home and unaffected.
Yet further, prosecutors say she hid weekly church income of $905. She has pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. This marks the second Georgia House Democrat charged with similar pandemic fraud, following Rep. Sharon Henderson.
In any case, the charging documents, from the U.S. District Court in Atlanta, laid out the facts. The document read, “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.”
Continuing, the same source revealed, “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.”
In her resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp, Karen Bennett wrote, “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. Serving in this capacity has truly been a labor of love and one that I will miss.”
Bennett isn’t the only Georgia Democrat to have resigned in disgrace. Rep. Lynn Heffner, another Georgia Democrat, resigned under similar circumstances. “As recovery efforts have continued, the rebuilding process has reached an impasse, creating uncertainty that makes it difficult to confidently maintain constitutional residency while continuing legislative service,” she claimed in her own resignation letter.
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When the news broke on social media, conservatives were enraged. One viral post read, “
BREAKING: Democrat Georgia State Rep. Karen Bennett federally indicted for fraud. Bennett—a Black Lives Matter and Defund the Police activist is the 2nd GA lawmaker charged with defrauding taxpayers in the last month. The entire Democratic Party are fraudsters.”
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In the comments, one conservative reacted, “Disgusting the level of fraud that is taking place. DEI got people into positions they were never capable of handling.” Agreeing, another added, “As a GA resident, glad to see us rooting out the fraud. Taxpayer $ is our $!”
Describing the situation, one local conservative stated, “The corruption is deep in Georgia, and our republican governor turns a blind eye to the corruption that festers in the Atlanta metro area from democrats. I’d love a DOGE audit of all government programs here.”
Asking for harsh consequences, a comment begged, “Out on bond. Neither will see the prison time they deserve. Minimum 10 years plus all the money back!!!” Another pondered, “DOJ should form a complete section dedicated to investigating Dem crimes.”
“Just because more than 90% of the Democratic lawmakers are frauds, grifters and thieves, we shouldn’t just assume that ALL of them are,” a sarcastic post suggested. Wrapping up he comments, a Georgia conservative commented, “I live in DeKalb. They’re so obviously corrupt. Always have been”
Blanche Confirmed As Attorney General With Fauci Criminal Referral Awaiting
A dramatic overnight vote in Washington has placed one of the most powerful positions in the federal government into new hands.
The outcome was decided by the narrowest of margins, and the official taking control could immediately inherit a politically explosive decision involving one of the most recognizable figures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general early Saturday in a 50-49 vote, putting him in charge of the Justice Department as a congressional criminal referral involving Dr. Anthony Fauci awaits consideration by federal prosecutors.
The referral followed Fauci’s recent appearance before Senate investigators, where the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times while testifying under subpoena.
A Senate committee subsequently referred Fauci to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution, meaning Blanche’s department will have to determine whether the evidence warrants further investigation or potential charges.
The referral does not establish that Fauci committed a crime, and invoking the Fifth Amendment cannot itself be treated as evidence of guilt.
Republican lawmakers have nevertheless argued that Fauci should face legal consequences stemming from their investigation into the federal government’s response to COVID-19, while Democrats have characterized the inquiry as politically motivated.
Blanche’s confirmation means responsibility for determining how DOJ handles that referral now rests with a department he formally leads after serving as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi’s departure in April.
His confirmation almost failed, with every Senate Democrat voting against him along with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has been absent from the Senate since mid-June, did not vote, leaving Republicans with virtually no margin for additional defections.
That placed Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in the position of casting the decisive vote after he had remained the final Republican holdout on Blanche’s nomination.
Cassidy acknowledged his reservations about Blanche before announcing that he would nevertheless support his confirmation.
“Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy said.
“It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting Attorney General who may not run the department effectively under President Trump,” Cassidy continued.
Cassidy also emphasized that his vote should not be interpreted as an endorsement of every action taken by President Donald Trump or his administration.
“This is not a referendum on President Trump,” Cassidy said.
“It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,” he added.
“All considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche,” Cassidy concluded. “I’ll be criticized for this vote. What’s new?”
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., sharply criticized the confirmation, calling the Senate’s decision “a grave mistake.”
Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal defense attorney before entering the administration and ultimately becoming acting attorney general following Bondi’s ouster.
His permanent confirmation now places him at the head of a Justice Department confronting several politically sensitive matters, with congressional Republicans certain to watch closely for what happens with their Fauci referral.
Fauci’s Senate testimony came as lawmakers continue examining pandemic-era government policies, federal funding connected to scientific research and questions surrounding the origins of COVID-19.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who subpoenaed Fauci to testify, has been among the most vocal lawmakers demanding accountability and has questioned whether the pardon Fauci received from former President Joe Biden would protect him from every potential avenue of prosecution.
Paul also posted a photograph of Fauci sitting alone at the Senate hearing table following his testimony and wrote, “Accountability is coming.”
Any prosecution would require federal investigators and prosecutors to independently determine that sufficient admissible evidence exists to support criminal charges, regardless of what Congress recommended in its referral.
Trump Blasts Exxon And Chevron Over Record Profits, Demands Lower Gas Prices For Americans
President Donald Trump took direct aim at two of the nation’s largest oil companies Monday, accusing ExxonMobil and Chevron of profiting excessively from soaring gasoline prices while American families continue paying more at the pump.
The unusual criticism marked a notable departure from Trump’s generally close relationship with the energy industry, which has largely welcomed his administration’s push for expanded domestic oil and gas production.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was unhappy with the massive second-quarter earnings recently reported by the energy giants, arguing consumers deserve relief after months of elevated fuel prices.
“I don’t like it,” Trump said. “Chevron, too much money. ExxonMobil, too much. Too much money.”
Trump went even further by suggesting the companies should return some of their profits to the public through lower gasoline prices.
“They better cut the retail price, the consumer price,” Trump said. “I’ll say it loud and clear: I’m not happy about it.”
The president’s comments came just days after several major oil companies posted blockbuster earnings fueled by higher crude prices and stronger refining margins during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Chevron reported its strongest quarterly earnings in at least six years, while ExxonMobil also posted one of its best profit reports in recent memory. Other refiners, including Valero Energy and Marathon Petroleum, likewise benefited from the sharp increase in oil prices following the outbreak of fighting earlier this year.
Earlier Monday, Trump also criticized Chevron CEO Mike Wirth following his appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
In a Truth Social post, Trump complained that Wirth failed to acknowledge his administration’s efforts to support the American energy industry.
“The only thing he conveniently forgot to mention is that, without the genius, foresight, strength, and stability of the TRUMP Administration, the Oil Industry, and our Country itself, would be DEAD!” Trump wrote.
He also pointed to Chevron’s renewed operations in Venezuela, saying the company is now positioned to make enormous profits after previously facing setbacks there.
Chevron has maintained a presence in Venezuela for more than a century. Unlike ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, which exited many Venezuelan operations after former President Hugo Chávez nationalized oil assets in 2007, Chevron remained active in the country and has since expanded operations under the Trump administration’s policies.
The president’s frustration comes as Americans continue facing elevated gasoline prices.
National average gasoline prices remain above $4 per gallon, representing a jump of more than 30% compared to levels before the Iran conflict disrupted global energy markets. While crude oil prices have recently declined amid hopes for diplomatic progress, prices at gas stations have been slower to follow.
Industry groups pushed back against Trump’s criticism, arguing oil companies are not solely responsible for higher prices.
The American Petroleum Institute said current fuel costs are being driven primarily by global supply and demand, along with continuing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and other key shipping lanes, rather than excessive corporate pricing.
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Trump has made increasing domestic energy production one of the central pillars of his second administration, repeatedly encouraging additional drilling and promising to make America a dominant energy producer. At the same time, however, he has consistently insisted that consumers should benefit from lower prices rather than seeing companies capture windfall profits.
The president predicted oil prices would “drop through the floor” once the conflict with Iran comes to an end, expressing confidence that cheaper crude will eventually translate into lower gasoline prices for drivers across the country.
