former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse after being found guilty of obstructing a congressional investigation into . "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. 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. 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. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. Last year the Northern District of Georgia US Attorney's office prosecuted at least 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. 2023 FOX Television Stations. ", 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. 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. 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. "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.". 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. Check back for details. Father defends terrified family with machete after home intruder breaks through window in middle of night, Paolo Banchero scores 31 points, Magic beat Hornets 117-106. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds ATLANTA - Jason Lary, the former Mayor of the City of Stonecrest, has been sentenced for using his elected office to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated to the city. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Lary, 60, pleaded. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. She also agreed to pay restitution. (FOX 5). Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. The City Council voted Monday to set the election date, determine qualifying information and formally ask ask the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections to run the election. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. 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. Later, in March 2021, after learning of an investigation into the citys handling of relief funds and knowing that the business had never filed paperwork to support the grant, Clarence Boone attempted to conceal the scheme by directing the businesss owner to submit an application that contained false statements, even though the Small Business Program had already ceased operations. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. 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. Have a question about Government Services? 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,. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. 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. "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. 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 announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. With Lary now 60 years old and with no criminal history, his legal team requested that house arrest, community service and statutory required supervision be considered for his sentence. 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 announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. "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. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In March 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. He also resigned as the citys mayor. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. Lary allegedly had the city improperly enter into a contract with a recently founded nonprofit, Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, to distribute the citys funds as a way to siphon money toward himself and cohorts. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. 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. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. His sentencing is set for May 2. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. 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. Suite 600 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. Lary is free on bond. "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.". Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. A former suburban Atlanta mayor was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Wednesday for masterminding a scheme to steal nearly $925,000 of the $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds that. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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. 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. A lock ( Ignoring input from the official selection committee, from about November 2020, until about February 2021, Boone signed dozens of checks on behalf of MRPC, directing relief funds to individuals, businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations of Larys own choosing. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. We are putting measures into place to prevent what we experienced during the meeting.. 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. His sentencing is set for May 2. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. A lock ( 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). 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 January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. 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. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. 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. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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.

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