Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. BREAKING: A bookkeeper - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook 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. 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. 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. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. 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. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. 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. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. Jason Lary, whose resignation. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. . Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. The about-face came in. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. A lock ( Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Ignoring input from the official selection committee, from about November 2020, until about February 2021, Boone signed dozens of checks on behalf of MRPC, directing relief funds to individuals, businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations of Larys own choosing. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. 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. 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 came back too early from my second round with cancer. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. 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 announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. 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. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. 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. 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. 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. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. 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. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. 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. 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. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. . Former mayor admits role in COVID relief fraud scheme The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . 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. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. 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. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. A locked padlock 2023 FOX Television Stations. 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. 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 former mayor of Stonecrest and a bookkeeper who administered COVID-19 relief funds to the town pleaded guilty in federal court this month to charges related to the theft of pandemic relief funds. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. Lary is free on bond. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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 city's founding mayor. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. 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. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. 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. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. 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). We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Main Office: Those companies were all connected to Lary. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges 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. The FBI and prosecutors found that $108,000 of relief funds were used to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary, while another $7,600 was used to pay college tuition and rent for Boones son. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. 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. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. 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. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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. 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. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. 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. Lock He also resigned as the citys mayor. 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 . No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . 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 . Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. 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. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Boone and the former Mayor conspired to fraudulently line each others pockets with relief funds that were desperately needed by struggling businesses in Stonecrest, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest.
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former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony