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. Stonecrest's former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty 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. 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. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Official websites use .gov None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. An official website of the United States government. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. 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. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. 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 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. He said he had surgery in late December 2020. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. 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. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. 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. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. 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 further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. 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. 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 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. "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. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. 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. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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), 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. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. That money was supposed to go to people like us. Stonecrest mayor charged in alleged misuse of CARES Act federal funds Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would. 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. 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. In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. . By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. ATLANTA - After spending nearly a year proclaiming his innocence, former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary admitted masterminding a scheme to steal COVID relief funds. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. 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 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. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. As another example, Lary presented a check from MRPC for $50,000 to Church 2. Later, a person acting on Larys behalf told Church 2 to contribute $4,500 of the relief funds to REMC, purportedly for rent assistance. Shes the wife of Clarence Boone, the citys former economic development director who was fired as a result of investigations in the citys relief program. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. 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. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary pleads guilty to federal - WAGA The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". Lary, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. 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. (FOX 5). 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. Richard B. Russell Federal Building Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. 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. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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). Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. 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. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia A lock ( Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. Official websites use .gov The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing COVID-19 Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. Library : Stone Rejected Has Become Cornerstone, The This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. 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. Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. "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. A locked padlock 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. 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 censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. An official website of the United States government. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Have a question about Government Services? Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. Boone and the former Mayor conspired to fraudulently line each others pockets with relief funds that were desperately needed by struggling businesses in Stonecrest, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. Instead Lary worked behind the scenes to form a private company, Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, Inc. (MRPC), recruit its CEO, open its bank accounts, and ensure that Lania Boone, his convicted co-conspirator, would be hired as MRPCs bookkeeper. Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022.
Funfetti Pancake Mix Cookies,
Ano Ano Ang Sektor Ng Industriya,
How To Slow Down Canva Animation,
Articles F