Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. 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. Andrea V. Watson. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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. 2: Person of Interest. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. District 3 Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble announced last week she will resign her post once she qualifies to run for mayor, and former District 5 councilwoman Diane Adoma told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she will run as well. We will continue to uncover and prosecute those who exploit government positions and COVID relief programs to fuel their own greed., 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 Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Jason Lary, who announced his resignation as the mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Georgia COVID-19 Relief 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 city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. 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. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. Those companies were all connected to Lary. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. Lary resigned from his post as a mayor right before filing a guilty plea to the charges, citing health reasons and three battles with cancer. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. 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. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 Main Office:
Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. Instead, $108,000 dollars were transferred to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront propertyowned by the former mayor. And while Lary falsely stated that the $50,000 would be used to assist with home repairs for people who could not afford them due to COVID-19, in reality he used the money for his own purposes, including to pay off his outstanding federal, state, and local tax liabilities. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. 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.. "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. An official website of the United States government. 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. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. 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 . Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. 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. Suite 600
Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges At least two candidates have publicly said theyll run to be the citys next mayor. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. 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. 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. 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. Roger Stone prosecutors quit after furor over Trump ally's sentence - CNBC Former mayor of Stonecrest pleads guilty to federal charges 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. 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. In January, Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges 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. 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 was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. 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. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. All rights reserved. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. No stone was more important than the cornerstone because the integrity of the whole structure depended on the cornerstone containing . DeKalb County then disbursed $6.2 million of these relief funds to Stonecrest. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Check back for details. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. "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. 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,. Jason Lary stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant to help the. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. 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. 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 relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. Lock 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. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. 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. In January 2021, Boone used her access to one of MRPCs bank accounts to wire transfer approximately $108,000 of relief funds to a mortgage servicing company. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. The. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. 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. Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. A locked padlock I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. 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. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. 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. The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. Have a question about Government Services? Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . Lary and Boone knew the purpose of the transfer was to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary. 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. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. 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