The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. Lary allegedly had the city improperly enter into a contract with a recently founded nonprofit, Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, to distribute the citys funds as a way to siphon money toward himself and cohorts. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. (Art by Richard Miller). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. She also agreed to pay restitution. 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. 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. "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 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. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. "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 U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. 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). DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". 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. Credit: Photo courtesy of Boston College Athletics, Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest passes on March election date to replace mayor after guilty fraud plea, Jahmyr Gibbs: Georgia Tech helped make me who I am today, Georgia Tech closes regular season with win over Boston College. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. 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. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Lary is free on bond. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. An official website of the United States government. 2023 FOX Television Stations. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. Instead of being a trustworthy steward of CARES Act funding, Clarence Boone and his co-conspirators schemed to misappropriate those funds to enrich themselves at the expense of those less fortunate. 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. 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. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. Have a question about Government Services? 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. 2: Person of Interest. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. Suite 600 "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. 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 . 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 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. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. . A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. Check back for details. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. 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. First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. 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. 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. Stonecrest mayor appeared in federal court about misusing CARES fund 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. 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. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. Small businesses that applied for financial relief were asked on an application form if theyd be willing to give 25% of the grant to one of three companies to market their business. 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). . Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. Lock The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. His sentencing is set for May 2. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. A locked padlock "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. 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. Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary on Wednesday pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. 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. 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 . Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. 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 . 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. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. 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. ATLANTA - Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, and Lania Boone, a bookkeeper for the entity that administered COVID-19 relief funds awarded to Stonecrest, have pleaded guilty to. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. "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. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. Lary, 60, pleaded. 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. A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack.



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