The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. "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. 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. 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. Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. The FBI will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure stolen relief funds are returned to the public, and individuals involved in this type of fraud are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. 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. "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.". Lock 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. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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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, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID 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. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. 2: Person of Interest. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges 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 judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. Lary did not disclose he controlled these companies. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. 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. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. 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. 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. 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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. Stonecrest sets May election date to replace mayor after guilty - ajc 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. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. 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. 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). 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. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. Have a question about Government Services? 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. A locked padlock Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges 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. Stonecrest mayor appeared in federal court about misusing CARES fund 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. . Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. 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. Suite 600 U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Suite 600 The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. 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. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. This story is 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 founding mayor. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. We are putting measures into place to prevent what we experienced during the meeting.. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". "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. His sentencing is set for May 2. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC.
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