former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. 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Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. His coconspirators previously pleaded guilty and received the following sentences: This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County District Attorneys Office. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. . 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, 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. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. 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,. 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 pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. 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 - The former Mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing COVID-19 relief funds that were supposed to go to struggling businesses. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. 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. 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. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. He also resigned as the citys mayor. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. 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. 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. 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. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. 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. Main Office: The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 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 . Those companies were all connected to Lary. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. 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. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Jason Lary, whose resignation. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. An official website of the United States government. 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. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. "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. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". 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. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes., 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. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. He has not been charged with a crime. Official websites use .gov In Larys guilty plea, he admitted to making sure that Boone was hired as Municipal Resource Partners bookkeeper. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Lary, 60, pleaded. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Suite 600 Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. 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. A lock ( That money was supposed to go to people like us. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Up to $10,000 reward now being offered in finding missing Georgia family man in Baton Rouge, Woman shot near DeKalb gas station; police say person cut her off, pulled out handgun, Forecast | Bright sunshine returns for the weekend, Metro Atlanta, north Georgia hit with widespread damage after storms produce powerful winds, Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID relief funds, Ex-Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest mayor, who is facing federal charges, says he will resign. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. 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. 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. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. 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 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. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. Have a question about Government Services? By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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 last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. 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. 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Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. 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 city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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. 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. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. 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. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. 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. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. . 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. 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. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to concocting a fraud scheme to steal more than $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. 2023 Cox Media Group. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. (Art by Richard Miller). ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. Suite 600 Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. 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. 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. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. 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 directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. That decision will be made at a later date. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. 2: Person of Interest. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.".