Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. 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 is free on bond. 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. 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. Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Small businesses that applied for financial relief were asked on an application form if theyd be willing to give 25% of the grant to one of three companies to market their business. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. 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. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. 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 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. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. 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In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. 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. 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 potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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. Learn about careers at 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. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Suite 600 Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. 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,. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". 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. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. 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 . 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. 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 relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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 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. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. In Larys guilty plea, he admitted to making sure that Boone was hired as Municipal Resource Partners bookkeeper. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. This story is breaking. "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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. 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.. Have a question about Government Services? Lock Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. 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 bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. His sentencing is set for May 2. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. . Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. A lock ( Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Have a question about Government Services? 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. 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 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. Check back for details. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "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. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. 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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. 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. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. 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. "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. 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. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. 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. The phrase is quoted by Jesus, who applies it to his mission of death and glory, after having told the . Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. 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. (FOX 5). 2023 FOX Television Stations. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. 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. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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.

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