INTERNACIONAL
DOJ charges ex-Georgia Democrat lawmaker with allegedly fraudulently obtaining COVID unemployment benefits
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A former Georgia state Democrat lawmaker was federally charged for allegedly fraudulently obtaining nearly $14,000 in coronavirus-era unemployment benefits.
The development comes after Karen Bennett, who used to represent state House District 94, wrote a letter to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Dec. 30 announcing that she would be «retiring» from her position on New Year’s Day after 12 years of service, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
«As a result of the false application and certifications, Bennett collected a total of $13,940 of PUA [Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program] benefits and federal supplements to which she was not entitled,» Theodore Hertzberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, wrote in a court filing this week.
Prosecutors allege the former representative applied for PUA benefits in May 2020 and disclosed that she worked for the Georgia General Assembly and ran Metro Therapy, a private business where her role consisted «of providing in-home physical therapy services.» They said in the application, Bennett claimed the job was «her primary occupation and primary means of livelihood» and that the «pandemic prevented her from performing any service in connection with» Metro Therapy.
GRETCHEN WHITMER CONFRONTED ON ‘WEIRD’ COVID RESTRICTIONS, SAYS SHE DID HER BEST WITH POO INFORMATION
Karen Bennett, a Democrat who represented House District 94 in Georgia, is now facing a federal charge for allegedly fraudulently obtaining COVID unemployment benefits. (Georgia House of Representatives)
«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,» it added.
Court documents show Bennett pleaded not guilty to a charge of making false statements and was issued a $10,000 bond. Lawyers representing Bennett did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
«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 the letter announcing her retirement, which was obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. «Serving in this capacity has truly been a labor of love, and one I will deeply miss.»
Bennett used to represent a district that included parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.
CDC PANEL SUPPORTS ‘INDIVIDUAL DECISION-MAKING’ ON COVID VACCINES
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is seen during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 17, 2024. Rep. Bennett wrote a letter to Kemp on Dec. 30 announcing her retirement, but did not give a reason in the letter as to why. (Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In the charging document, prosecutors said Bennett applied for and was denied Unemployment Insurance benefits, which paved the way for her to file the PUA application.
In that application, Bennett also claimed in relation to her position at Metro Therapy that she was last able to work on April 10, 2020, and she was «unable to reach my place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency,» prosecutors alleged.
«Once approved for PUA benefits, Bennett periodically submitted online certifications for every week for which she requested benefits. In each of those certifications, while she stated that she was receiving $300 per week from the General Assembly, she disclosed no other income,» the filing said, noting that Bennett claimed she was actively seeking other 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 said.
It added that, «Bennett 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.»
An aerial view of the Georgia State Capitol building. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Justice Department recently filed charges against Rep. Sharon Henderson, another Georgia state Democrat, on similar charges.
georgia,democratic party,crime world,coronavirus,southeast,politics
(AP Foto/Vahid Salemi, Archivo)
La coalición internacional que trabaja por la libertad de Narges Mohammadi alertó este martes de que la Premio Nobel de la Paz iraní se encuentra en peligro inminente de muerte en la prisión de Zanjan, en el noroeste del país, después de que las autoridades le negaran atención hospitalaria tras un episodio ocurrido el 24 de marzo en el que fue hallada inconsciente durante más de una hora con síntomas compatibles con un infarto. El régimen no respondió públicamente a las denuncias.
La red de apoyo, que integran la Fundación Narges, Reporteros Sin Fronteras, PEN America y Front Line Defenders, publicó el comunicado desde París tras la visita que el equipo legal realizó el 29 de marzo a la prisión. Encontraron a Mohammadi pálida, debilitada y con una pérdida de peso significativa. Fue conducida a la sala de visitas por una enfermera del centro.
Según la coalición, las compañeras de celda relataron que el 24 de marzo Mohammadi fue hallada inconsciente con los ojos en blanco. La enfermería del centro le prestó atención básica, pero las autoridades se negaron a trasladarla a un hospital o permitirle consultar con un especialista cardiólogo. No es la primera vez que sufre un episodio de este tipo: según sus partidarios y fuentes recogidas por AP, la activista padeció varios infartos durante encarcelamientos anteriores y fue sometida a una cirugía de urgencia en 2022.
El cuadro clínico descrito por su equipo legal incluye fuertes dolores de cabeza, náuseas, visión doble, fluctuaciones graves de la presión arterial y hematomas visibles. Estos últimos son consecuencia, según la coalición, de su violenta detención el 12 de diciembre de 2025 en Mashhad, cuando agentes del régimen la arrestaron durante el funeral de un abogado. Su defensor iraní, Mostafa Nili, denunció en febrero que los golpes en la cabeza durante el arresto y los interrogatorios le provocaron mareos y problemas de visión que persisten.
NTB/Fredrik Varfjell vía REUTERS /Foto de archivo
La situación se agravó en febrero cuando Mohammadi fue trasladada sin previo aviso —en contravención de la ley de procedimiento penal iraní, según su defensa— desde un centro del Ministerio de Inteligencia en Mashhad hasta la prisión general de Zanjan. Allí está recluida junto a internos condenados por delitos violentos y bajo una vigilancia reforzada que ha dificultado el contacto con el exterior. Los bombardeos del conflicto entre Estados Unidos e Israel contra Irán afectan las comunicaciones en la región y añaden una amenaza directa sobre los reclusos.
“Alojar a Mohammadi con delincuentes violentos a pesar de su grave enfermedad cardiaca y sus recientes traumatismos, sumado a las condiciones de guerra y las explosiones que amenazan la vida de los prisioneros, agrava esta amenaza”, subrayó el comité directivo de la coalición. La red exigió a Teherán un permiso médico de salida inmediato y el acceso garantizado a atención especializada, asesoría legal y contacto con su familia.
Mohammadi, de 53 años, ha sido arrestada en trece ocasiones y condenada en diez por cargos que van desde conspiración contra la seguridad nacional hasta propaganda contra el Estado. El Comité Nobel Noruego le concedió el galardón en 2023 por su lucha contra la opresión de las mujeres y la defensa de las libertades fundamentales en Irán. Sus dos hijos, a quienes no ve desde 2015, y su marido, Taghi Rahmani, viven exiliados en París.
Cumple actualmente condenas acumuladas de hasta 18 años. El 7 de febrero de 2026, un tribunal revolucionario de Mashhad la sentenció a seis años adicionales por conspiración y a dieciocho meses más por propaganda. Mientras el conflicto remodela Oriente Próximo, su caso revela cómo el régimen iraní convierte la cárcel en un instrumento de represión lenta contra quienes se atreven a documentar sus abusos desde dentro.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
At least 20 people are dead after an overnight attack in Nigeria’s north-central region on Palm Sunday.
The attack happened in the Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North area of Plateau state, according to Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the state commissioner for information.
It remains unclear how many people were wounded or killed, and who was behind the massacre.
Residents told The Associated Press that gunmen on bikes shot «sporadically» into the community, killing at least 20 people.
Police officers gather at the scene of Sunday night attack in Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North Nigeria, Monday, March 30, 2026. (Samson Omale/AP Photo)
AFTER TRUMP STRIKES ISLAMIST TERRORISTS, US GENERAL TRAVELS TO NIGERIA WITH MILITANTS ‘ON THE RUN’
International Christian Concern (ICC), a global humanitarian organization, reported the gunmen killed at least 30 people.
ICC also noted at least 10 people were killed earlier Sunday, with humanitarian worker, Alex Barbir, stating on social media that the victims were Christians.
Following the attacks, the Plateau state government imposed a 48-hour curfew.
People gather at the scene of Sunday night attack in Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North Nigeria, Monday, March 30, 2026. (Samson Omale/AP Photo)
62 NIGERIAN HOSTAGES RESCUED, 2 MILITANTS KILLED, ARMY SAYS
In 2025, the ICC documented the killing of at least 54 Christians in Zikke village near Jos following Palm Sunday celebrations.
More than 100 homes were destroyed during the ambush.
Nigeria is ranked the seventh-worst country in the world for Christian persecution, accounting for 72% of the total number of Christian killings worldwide in 2025, according to Open Doors, a global Christian charity.
People gather in Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North Nigeria, Monday, March 30, 2026. (Samson Omale/AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Last year alone, Open Doors records show 546 Christians were killed in the Plateau State.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
world, crime
INTERNACIONAL
Dem lawmaker sparks online firestorm after saying Iryna Zarutska mural doesn’t align with city’s values
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A Rhode Island Democratic state representative is facing blowback on social media after claiming that a mural of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian woman whose brutal murder while riding a North Carolina sparked national outrage, doesn’t reflect the «values» of the city of Providence.
«Ultimately, we want to make sure that every community member who calls Providence home feels safe,» Rep. David Morales told local media about a mural of Zarutska facing calls to be removed from the exterior of an LGBTQ+ club in downtown Providence.
«We can both agree that this mural behind us does not reflect Providence’s values nor does it reflect the creativity that we would want to see in our city.»
The lawmaker’s comments immediately sparked negative reactions from conservatives on social media after they were posted by the conservative influencer account End Wokeness in a post that has been viewed over 1 million times.
CHARLOTTE RAIL MURDER SUSPECT LINKED TO INMATE RELEASE APPROVED UNDER EX-DEM GOVERNOR, GOP ALLEGES
Rhode Island State Rep. David Morales is facing heat over comments made about a mural of Iryna Zarutska. (WPRI; Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
«What are his values?» Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on X.
«He cites people wanting to be ‘safe’ as a reason to destroy a mural on a private building meant to honor a murdered woman,» Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. «You can’t imagine how crazy Democrats are in these blue bastions. You think what you see on MSNBC is nuts? It’s even worse in their bubble cities.»
«Honoring the memory of a Ukrainian immigrant who had her throat slit on public transportation by a repeat offender with 14 prior arrests doesn’t reflect Providence’s values????» Defending Education communications director Erika Sanzi posted on X.
«What ‘value’ does the mural not reflect?» Republican Rep. Chip Roy posted on X.
«Iryna’s death highlights the consequences of warped policies that keep violent criminals out of jail,» Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts posted on X. «Memorializing her reminds us that those policies create more victims and should be eliminated. Telling that those aren’t Rep. Morales’ ‘values.’»
«True,» Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz posted on X. «Dems would prefer a mural celebrating her murderer.»
«Providence had a George Floyd mural and nobody called it divisive,» GOP strategist and commentator Mehek Cooke posted on X. «Iryna got murdered by a man arrested over a dozen times, and a city couldn’t let her face stay on a wall because the donor list was inconvenient. We means-test grief now.»
CNN commentator Scott Jennings referred to Morales as a «deranged lunatic» in a post on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Morales’s office for comment but did not receive a response.
Morales responded to Musk on X in a post clarifying what his «values» are.
«Not to exploit the death of a refugee to push an agenda centered around fear and division,» Morales wrote. «My values, like many of our neighbors in Providence, is to protect our immigrant neighbors from ICE’s state-sanctioned violence and supporting our refugee neighbors with authentic care.»
CHARLOTTE LIGHT-RAIL STABBING MURDER SPURS LANDMARK CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM FROM NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS
Iryna Zarutska cowers as her attacker towers over her. (NewsNation via Charlotte Area Transit System)
The mayor of Providence, Democrat Brett P. Smiley, has also spoken out against the mural.
«The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like this across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence,» Smiley said. «I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than further divides us.»
Zarutska, a 23-year-old refugee who fled her country after the Russian invasion, was brutally stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack while riding the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte, N.C., last year.
The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, which is a capital offense under federal law.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Booking photo of Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., taken Sept. 14, 2022, following his arrest in Mecklenburg County. Brown, 34, is now charged in the Aug. 22, 2025, stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light-rail train. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO))
Records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction show Brown has a prior criminal history, including convictions for larceny, breaking and entering and armed robbery. He served five years in prison starting in 2015.
Zarutska’s death prompted questions about soft on crime policies adopted by many Democratic-run cities. President Donald Trump spotlighted the killing during his State of the Union address last month.
«Iryna was riding home on the train when a deranged monster, who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no-cash bail, stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body,» Trump said.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
politics, rhode island, crime world
La Libertad Avanza quiere que Diputados trate la Ley de Glaciares y Hojarasca la próxima semana
El Gobierno celebró la caída de la pobreza en el segundo semestre de 2025: fue del 28,2%
Alarma con Harry Kane a una semana de enfrentarse al Real Madrid
Dólar hoy en vivo: en el Banco Nación bajó a $1.405 y el blue cedió a $1.410
Religión y política en Argentina: por qué crece su influencia en el discurso público
Así vive Flor Vigna el desafío de perder 8 kilos para su próxima pelea: “Dale que ganamos”
Máximo Kirchner salió al cruce de Milei y Macri tras el fallo por YPF a favor de la Argentina
La secretaria del piloto denunció que el amigo de Adorni la hostiga y la justicia dispuso medidas
El Gobierno cambia su propuesta de reforma: endurece penas para delitos comunes, pero no para los casos de corrupción
Nuevas críticas de Marcela Pagano contra los Milei: “Karina es la que gobierna”, aseguró
POLITICA3 días agoMáximo Kirchner salió al cruce de Milei y Macri tras el fallo por YPF a favor de la Argentina
- POLITICA3 días ago
El Gobierno cambia su propuesta de reforma: endurece penas para delitos comunes, pero no para los casos de corrupción
- POLITICA2 días ago
Nuevas críticas de Marcela Pagano contra los Milei: “Karina es la que gobierna”, aseguró
