former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

"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. If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW 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.. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. A locked padlock STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. 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. 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Main Office: Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. 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 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. In general, according to the Department of the Treasury, relief funds could only be used to cover costs that [were] necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. 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 was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. Those companies were all connected to Lary. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. Lary is free on bond. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. The City Council voted Monday to set the election date, determine qualifying information and formally ask ask the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections to run the election. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. 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. An official website of the United States government. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. 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. The about-face came in. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. 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 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. 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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 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,. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 . Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. 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. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. InJuly 2020, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to disburse some of the relief funds to its municipalities, including a $6.2 million grant to Stonecrest. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. . I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2023 FOX Television Stations. The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 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. 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. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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. 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. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. 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. She also agreed to pay restitution. Have a question about Government Services? His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. 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. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Official websites use .gov Secure .gov websites use HTTPS He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. 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. 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. 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. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. 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. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. 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). 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. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.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. 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. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. ATLANTA - Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, and Lania Boone, a bookkeeper for the entity that administered COVID-19 relief funds awarded to Stonecrest, have pleaded guilty to. 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. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Suite 600 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. 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. 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. Last year the Northern District of Georgia US Attorney's office prosecuted at least 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. "Larys guilty plea was the first in righting the wrongs committed against the people of Stonecrest, who were wrongfully deprived of hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to provide COVID-19 relief," said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. Lock Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. Andrea V. Watson. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. 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. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. "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. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. 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. 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. 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. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. 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 judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. 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,. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. "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.". 2023 Cox Media Group. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. 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. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. A lock ( His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. 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. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

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