"If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. 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,. 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. Andrea V. Watson. 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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. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. The government said no marketing was ever done. 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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. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". 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. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. 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. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. 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. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. 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. Richard B. Russell Federal Building Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. 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. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. 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. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. 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. 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. 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. 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. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. 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 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. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". Suite 600 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. 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. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. 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. 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.. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. 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. 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. 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 due in court to answer for fraud allegations. 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. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. In Larys guilty plea, he admitted to making sure that Boone was hired as Municipal Resource Partners bookkeeper. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. 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. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. "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. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? 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. Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. The about-face came in. Lock STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. 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. 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. That decision will be made at a later date. All rights reserved. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. 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. 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. Official websites use .gov A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. 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. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. (FOX 5). 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). In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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.. 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. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. 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 was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. 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 . The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia 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. Have a question about Government Services? 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. A locked padlock 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. 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. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. 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. 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. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money.
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