The city will hold a special election to select a new mayor. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. 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. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". "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. 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 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. Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Check back for details. 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. 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 . . Have a question about Government Services? (FOX 5). 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. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use. . 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, officials said. She also agreed to pay restitution. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The phrase is quoted by Jesus, who applies it to his mission of death and glory, after having told the . 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. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. 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. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. 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, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. The about-face came in. 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. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. The. 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. Former mayor of metro Atlanta city pleads guilty to fraud 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . "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.". Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. 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. Stone clemency order shows Trump wiped prison sentence, supervised Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia 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. Former mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. 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. 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. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. Lock 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. 2: Person of Interest. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. Jason Lary, whose resignation. Library : Stone Rejected Has Become Cornerstone, The The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. 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. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. Stonecrest's former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty Lania Boone, Larys co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 11, 2022. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. 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In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. The federal government permitted DeKalb County to further disburse these relief funds to its municipalities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar pleaded guilty Friday to charges of racketeering and tax evasion, admitting that he extorted at least $1.5 million in bribes from real estate . Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary pleads guilty to federal - WAGA I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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). This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Lary is free on bond. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.