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. The government said no marketing was ever done. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. 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. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. 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. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. 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. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Georgia COVID-19 Relief The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. The FBI will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure stolen relief funds are returned to the public, and individuals involved in this type of fraud are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.. 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. 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. 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. 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. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme A locked padlock STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. 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. A lock ( DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. 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 . City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. 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 mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . 2: Person of Interest. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief 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. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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). 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. 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. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Lock In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest. 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. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. 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. 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. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. 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. Jason Lary, whose resignation. 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. In Larys guilty plea, he admitted to making sure that Boone was hired as Municipal Resource Partners bookkeeper. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. 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. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. Main Office: Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. (FOX 5). Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. His sentencing is set for May 2. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. 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. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. That decision will be made at a later date. 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. Stone clemency order shows Trump wiped prison sentence, supervised The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. Those companies were all connected to Lary. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. His sentencing is set for May 2. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. 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. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. 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. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. Official websites use .gov 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. 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. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of - MSN 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. 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. 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. 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. "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. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. 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. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. Former mayor admits role in COVID relief fraud scheme 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. 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 . This story is breaking. 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. 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. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. 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 . All rights reserved. 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. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. 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,. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Library : Stone Rejected Has Become Cornerstone, The A bookkeeper and spouse of a - DeKalb County News Now | Facebook 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. The application included the question, are you willing to allocate 25% of your grant to marketing your business? Hundreds of businesses applied for relief funds, but most of the applicants were rejected.
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