former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. Lary resigned from his post as a mayor right before filing a guilty plea to the charges, citing health reasons and three battles with cancer. 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. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. 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. We are putting measures into place to prevent what we experienced during the meeting.. 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. Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. 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 government said no marketing was ever done. On October 28, 2020, for example, Clarence Boone and Lary circumvented the application process and directed more than $50,000 to a business that they knew was not conducting any legitimate operations, and Lania Boone ultimately wrote the check to disburse the funds. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. 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. 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. And while Lary falsely stated that the $50,000 would be used to assist with home repairs for people who could not afford them due to COVID-19, in reality he used the money for his own purposes, including to pay off his outstanding federal, state, and local tax liabilities. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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. 2023 FOX Television Stations. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. 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. 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 former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. He has not been charged with a crime. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. A locked padlock Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. 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. Jason Lary, whose resignation. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. 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. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. The city will hold a special election on May 24 to fill the rest of the mayors term after the office was vacated by Jason Lary in January. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. 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. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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. Lary is free on bond. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. 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. If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. 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. All rights reserved. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. 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. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. 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. With Lary now 60 years old and with no criminal history, his legal team requested that house arrest, community service and statutory required supervision be considered for his sentence. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Later, in March 2021, after learning of an investigation into the citys handling of relief funds and knowing that the business had never filed paperwork to support the grant, Clarence Boone attempted to conceal the scheme by directing the businesss owner to submit an application that contained false statements, even though the Small Business Program had already ceased operations. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. 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. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. Jason Lary received a sentence of four years and nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. In January 2021, Boone used her access to one of MRPCs bank accounts to wire transfer approximately $108,000 of relief funds to a mortgage servicing company. Stonecrest mayor charged in alleged misuse of CARES Act federal funds Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. 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. 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. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. An official website of the United States government. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. A lock ( Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". 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, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Second, Lary told churches that received relief funds from the Stonecrest Cares Program that they were required to contribute a portion of those funds for purposes identified by Lary. Father defends terrified family with machete after home intruder breaks through window in middle of night, Paolo Banchero scores 31 points, Magic beat Hornets 117-106. 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. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Boone and the former Mayor conspired to fraudulently line each others pockets with relief funds that were desperately needed by struggling businesses in Stonecrest, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. Suite 600 Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". 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. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Richard B. Russell Federal Building Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. 2023 FOX Television Stations, resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief. She also agreed to pay restitution. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Lary previously denied the accusations of 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. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID relief funds 585 views Feb 11, 2022 5 Dislike Share 11Alive 856K subscribers Jason Lary, the former mayor of. 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. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. 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.

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