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. Lary, 60, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud, federal program theft and conspiracy to commit federal program theft. 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. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. 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. 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. Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar pleaded guilty Friday to charges of racketeering and tax evasion, admitting that he extorted at least $1.5 million in bribes from real estate . Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. Lania Boone received a sentence of six months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,657.47. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. 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. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. 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. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. 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 . Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. and were incurred during the period that [began] on March 1, 2020, and [ended] on December 30, 2020. Examples of eligible expenditures were medical expenses, public health expenses, and grants to small businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. Main Office: In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Yet Lary and others asked that these contributions be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. A locked padlock His plea came the same morning his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. Check back for details. 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. February 21, 2022 Chris Butler. Former L.A. Councilmember Jose Huizar pleads guilty in corruption case During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. Suite 600 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. Have a question about Government Services? The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia 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. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. Police searching for suspect in northwestern Georgia elementary school burglary, Dunwoody Police catch man impersonating officer, Ex-officer charged in Susana Morales' death now charged in 2019 Snellville burglary, Frederick, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of US-15, Photos show rescue of Woodstock man 'buried up to his neck' in collapsed trench, Prominent Roswell restaurant owner charged with sexual crimes involving 2 minors, Clayton County twin sisters make history rising the ranks in Georgia UPS facility, Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, prosecutor says, Families intensify search for two men missing for more than a week, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Georgia baby girl reported missing with man diagnosed with mental illness, police say, Sheriff's office continues five-year-long search for missing Carrollton man. Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. 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.. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. 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. He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. Lary, 60, pleaded. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. He also settled income taxes he owed going back to 2015. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. Lock He also resigned as the citys mayor. 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. 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. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. 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. 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. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges Former Stonecrest mayor resigns and plead guilty to federal fraud charges. If the special election for the mayors seat requires a runoff election, it will take place June 21. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. 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. Stonecrest sets May election date to replace mayor after guilty - ajc City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". 2023 FOX Television Stations, resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. 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. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. 2023 Cox Media Group. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for 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. Andrea V. Watson. Instead Lary worked behind the scenes to form a private company, Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, Inc. (MRPC), recruit its CEO, open its bank accounts, and ensure that Lania Boone, his convicted co-conspirator, would be hired as MRPCs bookkeeper. He resigned his post on Jan. 4 and accepted a plea deal the next day for concocting the scheme. 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. Stonecrest residents that Jones talked to were outraged. Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. 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. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges 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. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. 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. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. Credit: Photo courtesy of Boston College Athletics, Former Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Stonecrest passes on March election date to replace mayor after guilty fraud plea, Jahmyr Gibbs: Georgia Tech helped make me who I am today, Georgia Tech closes regular season with win over Boston College. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. 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,.