former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. 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. "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 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. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. The FBI will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure stolen relief funds are returned to the public, and individuals involved in this type of fraud are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. ", 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. 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. 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Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. 2023 Cox Media Group. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. 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., 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. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. 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. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. 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. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary allegedly had the city improperly enter into a contract with a recently founded nonprofit, Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, to distribute the citys funds as a way to siphon money toward himself and cohorts. 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. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Lock 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 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. A locked padlock This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. A lock ( 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. 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[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. 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. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Suite 600 He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. 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. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. (FOX 5). The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Have a question about Government Services? ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. 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. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. Lary is free on bond. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. 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. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. 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 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. Lary, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . 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. 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. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to concocting a fraud scheme to steal more than $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . 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. And while Lary falsely stated that the $50,000 would be used to assist with home repairs for people who could not afford them due to COVID-19, in reality he used the money for his own purposes, including to pay off his outstanding federal, state, and local tax liabilities. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. 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 federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. 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. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. 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. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. Later, in March 2021, after learning of an investigation into the citys handling of relief funds and knowing that the business had never filed paperwork to support the grant, Clarence Boone attempted to conceal the scheme by directing the businesss owner to submit an application that contained false statements, even though the Small Business Program had already ceased operations. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. The. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. 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. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . 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. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. 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,. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. "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.". Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Jason Lary, whose resignation. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. 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. "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. 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. 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. 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. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. 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.. The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. A locked padlock A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. All rights reserved. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. "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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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.

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