February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. . Former mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after Richard B. Russell Federal Building His resignation went into effect Wednesday. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The FBI and prosecutors found that $108,000 of relief funds were used to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary, while another $7,600 was used to pay college tuition and rent for Boones son. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. In Larys guilty plea, he admitted to making sure that Boone was hired as Municipal Resource Partners bookkeeper. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. An official website of the United States government. The. This man's imprisonment shows why California's 'special circumstances 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . 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. 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. As another example, Lary presented a check from MRPC for $50,000 to Church 2. Later, a person acting on Larys behalf told Church 2 to contribute $4,500 of the relief funds to REMC, purportedly for rent assistance. . "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. 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. 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. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. 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. Former mayor of Stonecrest pleads guilty to federal charges (Art by Richard Miller). For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. A locked padlock A former health care executive, Lary was instrumental in convincing the General Assembly to create the city of Stonecrest along I-20 in south DeKalb County. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. Stonecrest received $6.2 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds, and the two are accused of taking some of the funds for themselves. 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. BREAKING: 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. A locked padlock Credit: Photo courtesy of Boston College Athletics, Former Stonecrest mayors accomplice pleads guilty to felony, Stonecrest councilwoman among candidates running to replace disgraced mayor, Jahmyr Gibbs: Georgia Tech helped make me who I am today, Georgia Tech closes regular season with win over Boston College. She also agreed to pay restitution. 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. An official website of the United States government. 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. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges | AP News The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. 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. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. 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. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS This article originally appeared on the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Kellyanne Conway, George Conway To Divorce After Decadeslong Marriage: Report, School punished teen girl for working out in sports bra in 100-degree Texas heat, ACLU says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, 'Extremely dangerous': Spike in illegal crossings at Canada-Vermont border has feds sounding alarm, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, butlight showers make brief return. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. "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 Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. 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. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. 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. 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. 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. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Suite 600 "Instead of providing aid to Stonecrests deserving citizens, Lary allegedly diverted funds for his own use, including to pay off his taxes and the mortgage on his lakefront home.". Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for 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. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. The city will hold a special election on May 24 to fill the rest of the mayor's term after the office was vacated by Jason Lary in January. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia, Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing 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, Former Mayor of Stonecrest Sentenced To Prison For Stealing COVID 19 Relief Funds. This story is breaking. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former mayor of Stonecrest, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID-19 relief funds, LIST: Schools across Georgia closing early ahead of possible severe weather, Gallery of storm damage across GA: Send us your photos, videos, Firefighters rescue Cherokee County man buried up to his neck in trench, Excel Church gives despite recovery from fire, Father and 9-month-old daughter reported missing in Clayton County, 26-year-old woman shot while driving in Decatur, Sign up for Atlanta News First Newsletters. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. ATLANTA (AP) A former Georgia mayor will serve nearly five years in federal prison after stealing nearly $925,000 in COVID-19 relief funds that his city handed out. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. ATLANTA - The former Mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing COVID-19 relief funds that were supposed to go to struggling businesses. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges, WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window), more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, Reality star Honey Boo Boo was inside speeding Dodge Charger involved in chase with Ga. deputies, 49-year-old man shot multiple times during drug deal in northeast Atlanta, police say, A 17-year-old Gwinnett County girl thought she was taking Percocet; now shes dead, Man rescued after being accidentally buried alive in Cherokee County, Our capital city will die: Georgia senators reject proposal to separate Buckhead from Atlanta. 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. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. MATTIE'S CALL: A 9-month-old baby girl was reported missing from the Ellenwood area with a man police say was diagnosed with a mental illness. Those companies were all connected to Lary. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. Official websites use .gov Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. ATLANTA - The former Mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing COVID-19 relief funds that were supposed to go to struggling businesses. On Wednesday, Channel 2s Tom Jones was in the courtroom as Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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. Lary is accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the people of Stonecrest who he was supposed to serve. It is extremely disheartening when an elected official, someone sworn to protect the community they serve, violates that oath by stealing relief funds intended to aid their community, said Keri Farley, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. Official websites use .gov U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. ", 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. Former mayor admits role in COVID relief fraud scheme For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". "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. 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. The about-face came in. Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). 2023 Cox Media Group. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. Shes the wife of Clarence Boone, the citys former economic development director who was fired as a result of investigations in the citys relief program. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. "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. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. A lock ( The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges 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. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. Library : Stone Rejected Has Become Cornerstone, The 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. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. . "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. BREAKING: A bookkeeper - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. Jason Lary, whose resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, pleaded guilty to three counts involving wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy. (FOX 5). 2023 FOX Television Stations, resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief. Stonecrest's Jason Lary COVID funds fraud case - 11Alive.com The City Council voted Monday to set the election date, determine qualifying information and formally ask ask the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections to run the election. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. A bookkeeper and spouse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. 2: Person of Interest. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud 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. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. In general, according to the Department of the Treasury, relief funds could only be used to cover costs that [were] necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency. Former L.A. Councilmember Jose Huizar pleads guilty in corruption case 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. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. The Justice Department on Monday released President Trump's clemency order for longtime GOP operative Roger Stone showing the president not only wiped away Stone's prison sentence but also a . The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. Jason Lary, whose resignation. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. 2023 Cox Media Group. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. The DeKalb County District Attorneys Office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to bring these bad actors to justice, said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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). Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. He also resigned as the citys mayor. According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In March 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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. 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. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing COVID-19 Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Stonecrest's former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty