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Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. 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. A lock ( 2: Person of Interest. 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. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . His sentencing is set for May 2. His sentencing is set for May 2. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. 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 lock ( Check back for details. Main Office:
Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. 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). It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. Main Office:
Lary, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. 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. He has not been charged with a crime. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. 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. Official websites use .gov 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 . 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest mayor appeared in federal court about misusing CARES fund. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. 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. That money was supposed to go to people like us. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. Lary is free on bond. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW
I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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. 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 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.. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "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.". Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. 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 court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". 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. (Art by Richard Miller). Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. 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. Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. 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 question of compassion to this Honorable Court is what is the appropriate sentenced for the conduct of this Defendant who, when confronted 'fessed up' and avoided costly indictment and made good faith efforts to cooperate with the Government," court documents read. 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. 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. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. 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 bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. 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. 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. . The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. 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. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. 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. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). 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. 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 asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. 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. 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. 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.
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