Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and his former bookkeeper have pleaded guilty to charges related to allegedly stealing COVID relief funds awarded to Stonecrest during the pandemic, officials said. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash sentenced Stonecrest ex-mayor Jason Lary to 57 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay nearly $120,000 in restitution. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. His sentencing is set for May 2. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds ATLANTA - Jason Lary, the former Mayor of the City of Stonecrest, has been sentenced for using his elected office to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated to the city. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. Federal authorities brought the mayor of Stonecrest to court alleging he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief granted to the city. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. A bookkeeper and spouse of a former Stonecrest official accepted a plea deal in federal court Friday afternoon for participating in the same fraud scheme that brought down the city's founding mayor. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Lary, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. His sentencing is set for May 2. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. Stonecrest's Jason Lary COVID funds fraud case - 11Alive.com The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". He has not been charged with a crime. Lania Boone received a sentence of six months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,657.47. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary is asking for a lighter sentence than he faces after pleading guilty to allegedly stealing COVID relief funds awarded to the city during the pandemic. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). Former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse after being found guilty of obstructing a congressional investigation into . Secure .gov websites use HTTPS One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Suite 600
Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of - MSN The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. A locked padlock . Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Clarence Boone, 60, of Decatur, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2023. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Official websites use .gov The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. 2023 FOX Television Stations. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. Earlier this year, Lary pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud, conspiracy and federal program theft for his role in stealing more than $650,000. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. "The question of compassion to this Honorable Court is what is the appropriate sentenced for the conduct of this Defendant who, when confronted 'fessed up' and avoided costly indictment and made good faith efforts to cooperate with the Government," court documents read. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. Suite 600
Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. Main Office:
The church was then told to contribute $4,500 to REMC, which officials say the mayor used to pay his own property expenses and dues. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. A bookkeeper and spouse of a - DeKalb County News Now | Facebook Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 ATLANTA Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary was sentenced to 57 months in prison Wednesday after he stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant for the recovery of businesses, churches and the people of the city. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). A bookkeeper and spouse of a former Stonecrest official accepted a plea deal in federal court Friday afternoon for participating in the same fraud scheme that brought down the citys founding mayor. The phrase is quoted by Jesus, who applies it to his mission of death and glory, after having told the . Lary is free on bond. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 BREAKING: A bookkeeper - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. Last year the Northern District of Georgia US Attorney's office prosecuted at least 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. Court documents show he was arraigned on the charges after relief funds expected to be allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program never made it to the city initiatives. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. Former mayor admits role in COVID relief fraud scheme Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. We will continue to uncover and prosecute those who exploit government positions and COVID relief programs to fuel their own greed., CARES Act funds were intended to help people and businesses harmed by the pandemic, not to line the pockets of public officials entrusted to lead a community, said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. For example, Lary presented a check for $150,000 in relief funds to Church 1, on the condition that $50,000 be given to a company called Real Estate Management Consultants, LLC (REMC). STONECREST CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO CENSURE MAYOR AFTER IMMATURE PUBLIC REMARKS, "Lary allegedly abused the power and trust conferred on him as Mayor of Stonecrest to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for COVID-19 relief," said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. Briefs: 11Alives news director goes to Gray; Honey Boo Boos boyfriend arrested; Marlon Woman accused of killing ill husband released from jail, Class 7A: Semifinal coverage from Georgia State, DeKalb volunteers to plant 150 trees during March, Decatur hosts second community meeting on March 2, Atlantas Carter Center preps for future without founder, Photography club captures hope during pandemic, March food and drink events to check out in metro Atlanta. Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia, Stonecrests former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty to theft of COVID-19 relief funds, https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form, CEO of Atlanta engineering firm pleads guilty to failing to pay payroll taxes, Arizona man pleads guilty to extorting Georgia Tech, Georgia woman charged with stealing over $450,000 in government and retirement benefits, Stonecrests Former Senior Economic Development Manager Pleads Guilty To Theft of COVID 19 Relief Funds. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. Lary betrayed the trust placed in him by the citizens of Stonecrest by stealing the very funds meant to help his constituents weather the COVID-19 pandemic, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. Later in December 2020 and January 2021, Clarence Boone coordinated with Lary and Lania Boone to use $108,155.52 of relief funds to pay off the mortgage on Larys lakefront home in Macon, Georgia, and used more than $7,600 of relief funds to pay college tuition, a meal plan, books, and rent for Clarence Boones son. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. Jason Lary, 60, of Stonecrest, Georgia, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. "Larys guilty plea was the first in righting the wrongs committed against the people of Stonecrest, who were wrongfully deprived of hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to provide COVID-19 relief," said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. A former suburban Atlanta mayor was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Wednesday for masterminding a scheme to steal nearly $925,000 of the $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds that. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. The government said no marketing was ever done. Lary agreed that he diverted at least $650,000 in relief money by requiring Stonecrest churches and businesses to kick back a portion of their grant money to companies he controlled. An official website of the United States government. The former mayor of Stonecrest and a bookkeeper who administered COVID-19 relief funds to the town pleaded guilty in federal court this month to charges related to the theft of pandemic relief funds. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Under the CARES Act, the federal government distributed COVID-19 relief funds to individual Americans, federal agencies, and state and local governments, including $125 million to DeKalb County. (Art by Richard Miller). The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. She also agreed to pay restitution. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". "He certainly, as alleged by the Grand Jury, used his position as mayor of Stonecrest to divert those funds and used his influence and connections," Erskine said. In September 2020, Jason Lary, the former Mayor of Stonecrest, allocated $5 million of the relief funds to a Small Business Program which would disburse relief funds based on applications submitted by local businesses. U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash sentenced Stonecrest ex-mayor Jason Lary to 57 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay nearly $120,000 in restitution. 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Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. Yet Lary and others asked that these contributions be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. and were incurred during the period that [began] on March 1, 2020, and [ended] on December 30, 2020. Examples of eligible expenditures were medical expenses, public health expenses, and grants to small businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures. That money was supposed to go to people like us. Lary, 60, pleaded. 2: Person of Interest. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The former Mayor of Stonecrest Jason Lary pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing COVID-19 relief funds that were supposed to go to struggling businesses. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This man's imprisonment shows why California's 'special circumstances Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. While I was out on cancer leave, they removed me from every committee I created, refused to pay my car allowance, while paying six figures to the finance director and $209,000 annually to the acting city manager (including a car allowance). The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW
Lary betrayed the trust placed in him by the citizens of Stonecrest by stealing the very funds meant to help his constituents weather the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan said. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary pleads guilty to federal - WAGA Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and his former bookkeeper have pleaded guilty to charges related to allegedly stealing COVID relief funds awarded to Stonecrest during the pandemic,. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. ATLANTA Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary was sentenced to 57 months in prison Wednesday after he stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant for the recovery of businesses,. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. Mayor Jason Lary and others in the city of Stonecrest is charged with mishandling 650,000 of CARES money meant for the citizens of Stonecrest. A lock ( A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. However, federal authorities said Lary worked behind the scenes with an organization known as Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, Inc. ("MRPC") to disburse the relief funds. A bookkeeper and spouse of a former Stonecrest official accepted a plea deal in federal court Friday afternoon for participating in the same fraud scheme that brought down the city's founding mayor. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. An official website of the United States government. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. "Mr. Lary has serious health challenges and at age 60 the Defendant finds himself facing a legacy of criminal history that is and was 'money motivated,' and not violence or physical harm to others, nor drug related," his legal team writes in a sentencing memorandum filed with the court. Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC The 45-minute Zoom call in which he announced his resignation was hacked and briefly displayed a video game and then a brief snippet of pornography. Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary is met by FOX 5 I-Team Reporter Randy Travis as he walks into the federal courthouse in Atlanta to enter a guilty plea to stealing CARES Act money on Jan.. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary is met by FOX 5 I-Team Reporter Randy Travis as he walks into the federal courthouse in Atlanta to enter a guilty plea to stealing CARES Act money on Jan. 5, 2022. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. ATLANTA Jason Lary, the former Mayor of the City of Stonecrest, has been sentenced for using his elected office to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated to the city. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. The former Mayor of Stonecrest Jason Lary pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing COVID-19 relief funds that were supposed to go to struggling businesses. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary is asking for a lighter sentence than he faces after pleading guilty to allegedly stealing COVID relief funds awarded to the city during the pandemic. His coconspirators previously pleaded guilty and received the following sentences: This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County District Attorneys Office. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Instead Lary worked behind the scenes to form a private company, Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, Inc. (MRPC), recruit its CEO, open its bank accounts, and ensure that Lania Boone, his convicted co-conspirator, would be hired as MRPCs bookkeeper. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. Ignoring input from the official selection committee, from about November 2020, until about February 2021, Boone signed dozens of checks on behalf of MRPC, directing relief funds to individuals, businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations of Larys own choosing.