Andrea V. Watson. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. 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. Official websites use .gov Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Have a question about Government Services? His sentencing is set for May 2. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia
First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. 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. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives. In or about November 2020, Stonecrest published an application on its website for businesses to apply for relief funds under the Small Business Program. 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. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. 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 . 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. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. We have no response about the Mayors resignation, city officials said. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. (Art by Richard Miller). Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. 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. "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.". In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. 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. He has not been charged with a crime. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. 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. Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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,. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. That decision will be made at a later date. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. Lary wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. 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. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. A bookkeeper was also involved in the scheme and arraigned, records show. 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. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. 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. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 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. A lock ( The phrase is quoted by Jesus, who applies it to his mission of death and glory, after having told the . The government said no marketing was ever done. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. 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. 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. That money was supposed to go to people like us. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Jason Lary, whose resignation. Lary, 60, pleaded. 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. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 2023 Cox Media Group. He also resigned as the citys mayor. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. 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. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. "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. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Those companies were all connected to Lary. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Have a question about Government Services? "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. 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. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia
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. 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 first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. 2: Person of Interest. The judge says Larys 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. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. 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. 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. Up to $10,000 reward now being offered in finding missing Georgia family man in Baton Rouge, Woman shot near DeKalb gas station; police say person cut her off, pulled out handgun, Forecast | Bright sunshine returns for the weekend, Metro Atlanta, north Georgia hit with widespread damage after storms produce powerful winds, Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID relief funds, Ex-Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest mayor, who is facing federal charges, says he will resign. 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. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. 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. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal . Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges, 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), more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, 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.