former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony
Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 Richard B. Russell Federal Building "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. Official websites use .gov The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. A bookkeeper and spouse of a - DeKalb County News Now | Facebook First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Georgia COVID-19 Relief His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. 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. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). 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Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. 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. Earlier this year, Lary pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud, conspiracy and federal program theft for his role in stealing more than $650,000. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". His resignation went into effect Wednesday. 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. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. 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 Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. That decision will be made at a later date. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. 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. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. 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. Richard B. Russell Federal Building Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. 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. 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. 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. Lary is free on bond. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest. 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. 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. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. 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. 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Bookkeeper admits to role helping former Stonecrest mayor steal COVID They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. In one case, federal investigators alleged that Lary gave a church $150,000 under the condition that they would give a third of the money to a company called Real Estate Management Consultants LLC, which Lary controlled. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. 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. 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. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. 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. "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. Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. . He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Stone clemency order shows Trump wiped prison sentence, supervised The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. In January 2021, Boone used her access to one of MRPCs bank accounts to wire transfer approximately $108,000 of relief funds to a mortgage servicing company. "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. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. 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. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to concocting a fraud scheme to steal more than $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. 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. 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. A former health care executive, Lary was instrumental in convincing the General Assembly to create the city of Stonecrest along I-20 in south DeKalb County. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. 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. Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC 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. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. Have a question about Government Services? 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. Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges 2023 FOX Television Stations. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. He also resigned as the citys mayor. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Jason Lary, whose resignation. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. Main Office: None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. 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. We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. 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. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. His sentencing is set for May 2. District 3 Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble announced last week she will resign her post once she qualifies to run for mayor, and former District 5 councilwoman Diane Adoma told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she will run as well. 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. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. 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. Official websites use .gov If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. 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. 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