Lary resigned from his post as a mayor right before filing a guilty plea to the charges, citing health reasons and three battles with cancer. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. 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Court documents show he was arraigned on the charges after relief funds expected to be allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program never made it to the city initiatives. . Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Secure .gov websites use HTTPS [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. 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. 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 . 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. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. That decision will be made at a later date. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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). . The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. Bookkeeper admits to role helping former Stonecrest mayor steal COVID 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. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. 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. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Suite 600 He said he had surgery in late December 2020. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. 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. 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 continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. 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 . This story is breaking. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. An official website of the United States government. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. The. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. "Mr. Lary has serious health challenges and at age 60 the Defendant finds himself facing a legacy of criminal history that is and was 'money motivated,' and not violence or physical harm to others, nor drug related," his legal team writes in a sentencing memorandum filed with the court. 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. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Former L.A. Councilmember Jose Huizar pleads guilty in corruption case 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. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. 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. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. 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. 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. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. Stonecrest sets May election date to replace mayor after guilty - ajc Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. 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. The government said no marketing was ever done. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. "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.". During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. 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. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . 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. Lock Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. An official website of the United States government. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. A lock ( That money was supposed to go to people like us. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. 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. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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.