This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. 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. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. 2: Person of Interest. An official website of the United States government. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. All rights reserved. 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 is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. 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. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. . He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. 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). He said he had surgery in late December 2020. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. 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. 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. 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. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. 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. 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. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. 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. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. Main Office: 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. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. 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 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. 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, officials said. An official website of the United States government. "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. That money was supposed to go to people like us. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. Have a question about Government Services? Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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 RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. 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. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. 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. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. Lock Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. A locked padlock For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. 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. 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. 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. 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. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. 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. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. She also agreed to pay restitution. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. Check back for details. Lock 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 has not been charged with a crime. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. "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.". 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. 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 . Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. A 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, churches and the people of the city. Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges, 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), more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, 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. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). Official websites use .gov 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, 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. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. (Art by Richard Miller). Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. 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 as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? 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 . Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. "Instead of providing aid to Stonecrests deserving citizens, Lary allegedly diverted funds for his own use, including to pay off his taxes and the mortgage on his lakefront home.". Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. 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.
