Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. "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. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. 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 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. This story is breaking. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Georgia COVID-19 Relief Up to $10,000 reward now being offered in finding missing Georgia family man in Baton Rouge, Woman shot near DeKalb gas station; police say person cut her off, pulled out handgun, Forecast | Bright sunshine returns for the weekend, Metro Atlanta, north Georgia hit with widespread damage after storms produce powerful winds, Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID relief funds, Ex-Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest mayor, who is facing federal charges, says he will resign. Lock 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Main Office: DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. Those companies were all connected to Lary. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. An official website of the United States government. 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. Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. 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This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar pleaded guilty Friday to charges of racketeering and tax evasion, admitting that he extorted at least $1.5 million in bribes from real estate . Former L.A. Councilmember Jose Huizar pleads guilty in corruption case 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. . Lary, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia 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. District 3 Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble announced last week she will resign her post once she qualifies to run for mayor, and former District 5 councilwoman Diane Adoma told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she will run as well. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Former mayor of Stonecrest pleads guilty to federal charges He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. 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 first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. ATLANTA - Clarence Boone, the former Senior Economic Development Manager of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty to conspiring with his wife, Lania Boone, and the former Mayor of Stonecrest, Jason Lary, to steal pandemic relief funds intended to support small businesses in Stonecrest. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Richard B. Russell Federal Building "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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. 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. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme 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. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. . In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. InJuly 2020, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to disburse some of the relief funds to its municipalities, including a $6.2 million grant to Stonecrest. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. This man's imprisonment shows why California's 'special circumstances Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. (Art by Richard Miller). First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW 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. 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. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. 2023 Cox Media Group. Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc 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. A bookkeeper and spouse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook . The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). 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. 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. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW Official websites use .gov The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Andrea V. Watson. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. STONECREST, Ga. - A bookkeeper hired by former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her part in a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. 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. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing COVID-19 The. 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. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud 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. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes., 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Suite 600 His sentencing is set for May 2. "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. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. 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. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. In Larys guilty plea, he admitted to making sure that Boone was hired as Municipal Resource Partners bookkeeper. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of - MSN 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 . 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. SB 300, also called the Sentencing Reform Act, would rewrite part of Proposition 115, a 1990 ballot initiative that expanded the definition of first-degree murder to include murder committed . 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. Former mayor admits role in COVID relief fraud scheme Stonecrest sets May election date to replace mayor after guilty - ajc his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. He also resigned as the citys mayor. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. ", 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. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. Yet Lary and others asked that these contributions be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. Richard B. Russell Federal Building Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. Like the rest of the country, the residents and businesses of Stonecrest community looked to its government for vital assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. 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.
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