In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . 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. . Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. We will continue to uncover and prosecute those who exploit government positions and COVID relief programs to fuel their own greed., 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 Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. 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 U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of - MSN A lock ( That money was supposed to go to people like us. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. 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. An official website of the United States government. Official websites use .gov She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. 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 federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. 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. A former suburban Atlanta mayor was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Wednesday for masterminding a scheme to steal nearly $925,000 of the $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds that. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. Lock 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,. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 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. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. Main Office: The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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 bookkeeper and spouse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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). Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. 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. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. 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. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. Check back for details. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". 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. 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. 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, GA 30303-3309. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. A locked padlock Official websites use .gov Stone clemency order shows Trump wiped prison sentence, supervised 2: Person of Interest. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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. 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.. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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. 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. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. An official website of the United States government. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. A bookkeeper and spouse of a - DeKalb County News Now | Facebook Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. Have a question about Government Services? "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. The Stone that the Builders Rejected Became the Cornerstone? "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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. 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. 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. 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. ", 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. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges A locked padlock Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. 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 . Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. 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. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program.