Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. A bookkeeper and spouse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges "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.". The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. 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. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. His sentencing is set for May 2. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. 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. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. 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. 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. His sentencing is set for May 2. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. The Stone that the Builders Rejected Became the Cornerstone? Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. 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 Jason Lary on Wednesday pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). 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. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. 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,. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. Stonecrest's Jason Lary COVID funds fraud case - 11Alive.com Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. "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. 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. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. 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 The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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 continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. "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.". Stonecrest mayor appeared in federal court about misusing CARES fund 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. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges 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. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. An official website of the United States government. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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. . That money was supposed to go to people like us. All rights reserved. (FOX 5). Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. 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. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. 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. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID . Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. The. 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. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. This man's imprisonment shows why California's 'special circumstances 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. A locked padlock "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. 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. 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. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. . Former mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. 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. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . 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. 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. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. 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. Main Office: 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. Library : Stone Rejected Has Become Cornerstone, The I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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). 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to concocting a fraud scheme to steal more than $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 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. 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. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. 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. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. 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. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. 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. Have a question about Government Services? 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). Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary pleads guilty to federal - WAGA Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. (Art by Richard Miller). Richard B. Russell Federal Building A lock ( For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. The about-face came in. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. 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. 2023 FOX Television Stations, resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief. He has not been charged with a crime. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. 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. 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. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. We are putting measures into place to prevent what we experienced during the meeting.. In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. 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. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 Check back for details. A lock ( February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. A locked padlock 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. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. 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. 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. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Lock Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. "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.

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