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. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. A lock ( "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. 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. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. Lania Boone received a sentence of six months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,657.47. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. Jason Lary, whose resignation. 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 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. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Stonecrest's Jason Lary COVID funds fraud case - 11Alive.com 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. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. Learn about careers at 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. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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,. . 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. Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. 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 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. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. The government said no marketing was ever done. 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. 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. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. Later, in March 2021, after learning of an investigation into the citys handling of relief funds and knowing that the business had never filed paperwork to support the grant, Clarence Boone attempted to conceal the scheme by directing the businesss owner to submit an application that contained false statements, even though the Small Business Program had already ceased operations. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. In one case, federal investigators alleged that Lary gave a church $150,000 under the condition that they would give a third of the money to a company called Real Estate Management Consultants LLC, which Lary controlled. The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. 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. 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 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. 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. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help 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. 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. Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. 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. 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. 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. A bookkeeper and spouse of a - DeKalb County News Now | Facebook The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 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. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. 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 is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. That money was supposed to go to people like us. The about-face came in. BREAKING: A bookkeeper - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. 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. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. Lary, 60, pleaded. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. This story is breaking. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. 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.. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. 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. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Main Office: In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest. . His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. 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. A bookkeeper and spouse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook Main Office: Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Yet Lary and others asked that these contributions be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Official websites use .gov Stonecrest mayor charged in alleged misuse of CARES Act federal funds Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. 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. She also agreed to pay restitution. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. His sentencing is set for May 2. 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). Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. Official websites use .gov He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Those companies were all connected to Lary. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. Have a question about Government Services? Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. and were incurred during the period that [began] on March 1, 2020, and [ended] on December 30, 2020. Examples of eligible expenditures were medical expenses, public health expenses, and grants to small businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to concocting a fraud scheme to steal more than $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. 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 judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. 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 is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. 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. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? His sentencing is set for May 2. 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. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. The Stone that the Builders Rejected Became the Cornerstone? DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. 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.. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. This man's imprisonment shows why California's 'special circumstances The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. 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 details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. 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. 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. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Former mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. (Art by Richard Miller). He also resigned as the citys mayor. 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. 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. Check back for details. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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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. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. 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.

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