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. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. 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,. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. Federal prosecutors said that in addition to paying off personal debt, Lary conducted a scheme where he asked small businesses and churches to whom he allocated grants to give 25% of the money to companies connected to himself and co-conspirators. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest mayor appeared in federal court about misusing CARES fund. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. 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. The former mayor of Stonecrest and a bookkeeper who administered COVID-19 relief funds to the town pleaded guilty in federal court this month to charges related to the theft of pandemic relief funds. Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. He has not been charged with a crime. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. 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. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. 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. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. 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. 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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. 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. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. Suite 600 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. A lock ( 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Andrea V. Watson. 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. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. "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. 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. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. That money was supposed to go to people like us. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. Those companies were all connected to Lary. 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 . 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. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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 plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. 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). Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. 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. (FOX 5). 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. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. 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. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said 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. (Art by Richard Miller). Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. A lock ( 2: Person of Interest. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? All rights reserved. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. "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. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. 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 plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . Lary, 60, pleaded. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. A locked padlock 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. 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. In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest. 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. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. Richard B. Russell Federal Building 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. 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. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. 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. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. 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. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Main Office: The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. 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. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. His sentencing is set for May 2. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. 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 . Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to concocting a fraud scheme to steal more than $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. STONECREST CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO CENSURE MAYOR AFTER IMMATURE PUBLIC REMARKS, "Lary allegedly abused the power and trust conferred on him as Mayor of Stonecrest to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for COVID-19 relief," said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. 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 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 . "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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees.
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