No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges | AP News Official websites use .gov In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. 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. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". The. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. Former mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after "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. Those companies were all connected to Lary. 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. Bookkeeper admits to role helping former Stonecrest mayor steal COVID Suite 600 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary pleads guilty to federal - WAGA Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. 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. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2023 FOX Television Stations. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud 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. 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. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. In return, prosecutors recommended a lighter sentence of 366 days in confinement half in prison and half as home arrest. Suite 600 The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. ", 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. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. "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 details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. 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. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. 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. 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. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. Main Office: 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. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. Lary is free on bond. Check back for details. BREAKING: A bookkeeper - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. 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. We are putting measures into place to prevent what we experienced during the meeting.. 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. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. Jason Lary, whose resignation. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. A lock ( Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. Former mayor admits role in COVID relief fraud scheme As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of - MSN ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia, Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing 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, Former Mayor of Stonecrest Sentenced To Prison For Stealing COVID 19 Relief Funds. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. Former 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.". On October 28, 2020, for example, Clarence Boone and Lary circumvented the application process and directed more than $50,000 to a business that they knew was not conducting any legitimate operations, and Lania Boone ultimately wrote the check to disburse the funds. Former L.A. Councilmember Jose Huizar pleads guilty in corruption case Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. Andrea V. Watson. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests 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. 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. Lary, 60, pleaded. . FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. A locked padlock 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). Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. 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. 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. 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. Credit: Photo courtesy of Boston College Athletics, Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest passes on March election date to replace mayor after guilty fraud plea, Jahmyr Gibbs: Georgia Tech helped make me who I am today, Georgia Tech closes regular season with win over Boston College. 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. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. 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, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Stone clemency order shows Trump wiped prison sentence, supervised Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. Second, Lary told churches that received relief funds from the Stonecrest Cares Program that they were required to contribute a portion of those funds for purposes identified by Lary. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. 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. First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. 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. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. All rights reserved. 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. Stonecrest's former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty Richard B. Russell Federal Building He has not been charged with a crime. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. Jason Lary, whose resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, pleaded guilty to three counts involving wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. 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 . 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. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. 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.
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