The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. 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. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. 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. 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. 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. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. 2023 FOX Television Stations. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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). . 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. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. 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.. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. 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. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Yet Lary and others asked that these contributions be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. 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), 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. 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. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. (FOX 5). ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. 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 rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? That decision will be made at a later date. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Lary is free on bond. This story is breaking. Official websites use .gov Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. 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 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 FBI will do everything in our power to make sure stolen funds are returned to the public, and individuals involved in this type of criminal behavior are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.". 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. 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. 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. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". 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. 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. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. All rights reserved. Andrea V. Watson. 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. Main Office: Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead 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. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. 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 and his former bookkeeper have pleaded guilty to charges related to allegedly stealing COVID relief funds awarded to Stonecrest during the pandemic,. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. 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 . His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. 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. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Lock Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia, Stonecrests former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty to theft of 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, Stonecrests Former Senior Economic Development Manager Pleads Guilty To Theft of COVID 19 Relief Funds. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . She also agreed to pay restitution. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. 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 . Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. Official websites use .gov As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. 2023 Cox Media Group. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. . His sentencing is set for May 2. Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. 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 . This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. "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. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. 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. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . 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. 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. 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. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW 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. 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. 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. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. 2: Person of Interest. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. 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. A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. That money was supposed to go to people like us. Lary, 60, pleaded. 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. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. 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 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. 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. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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 . Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. 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. We are putting measures into place to prevent what we experienced during the meeting.. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. "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 indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia 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. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. 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. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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. Have a question about Government Services? 2023 FOX Television Stations, resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. 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. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. 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. 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. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. A locked padlock Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. 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. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show.
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