former stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony

Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID relief funds 585 views Feb 11, 2022 5 Dislike Share 11Alive 856K subscribers Jason Lary, the former mayor of. His sentencing is set for May 2. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes., 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. Around October 2021, the United States seized approximately $480,000 of fraud proceeds held in the bank accounts of Visit Us and Battleground Media. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. He has not been charged with a crime. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. An official website of the United States government. STONECREST MAYOR JASON LARY RESIGNS DAY BEFORE FEDERAL COURT DATE, FORMER STONECREST MAYOR ADMINS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. The censure stemmed from remarks Mayor Lary made at the end of a council meeting on Sept. 27. Lary was arraigned in November 2021, accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. 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. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. Official websites use .gov First, Lary conspired with Boone to steal relief funds before they were disbursed by MRPC. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Richard B. Russell Federal Building The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. "If you don't know protocol, you better learn it with me," said Lary. his resignation as mayor of Stonecrest became official. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. 2022-02-12 - By Zachary Hansen zachary.hansen@ajc.com. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. The former mayor of Stonecrest who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges is making a punishment request. 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. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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 city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. Lary is expected to be sentenced on July 13 at 10 a.m. "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. Suite 600 Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. 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 . Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. The relief funds deposited into the Visit Us and Battleground Media accounts were used by Lary to benefit himself and his associates. Lary used three different methods to steal the funds Stonecrest disbursed to MRPC. That decision will be made at a later date. 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. The indictment alleges that Smith stole more than $450,000 in Social Security Administration Northern District of Georgia (FOX 5). The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. The plan also provided $5 million to the COVID-19 CARES Act Small Business Program (Small Business Program). 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. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. A locked padlock He does not have to report to prison until Dec. 15, so he can continue treatment for prostate cancer. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Wilmot previously prosecuted the case. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. As you can tell with technology, it can be immature and ridiculous, and thats fine, Lary said. Candidates must pay a $600 qualifying fee. Lary issued a statement to FOX 5 about the censure: "My frustrations have boiled over with this council. Lary, 59, was the first mayor of Stonecrest, a DeKalb County city of about . 75 Ted Turner Dr. SW [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . 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. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . Main Office: The government said no marketing was ever done. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. In September 2020, Jason Lary, the former Mayor of Stonecrest, allocated $5 million of the relief funds to a Small Business Program which would disburse relief funds based on applications submitted by local businesses. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Lock The judge says Lary's actions were "deplorable" and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. 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. She also agreed to pay restitution. Jason Lary, the former mayor of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty, according to a news release. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. Those companies were all connected to Lary. The phrase is quoted by Jesus, who applies it to his mission of death and glory, after having told the . The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. Lary is free on bond. Prosecutors said the 59-year-old former mayor concocted a scheme to divert funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. Lary betrayed the trust placed in him by the citizens of Stonecrest by stealing the very funds meant to help his constituents weather the COVID-19 pandemic, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. The qualification period will take place roughly a month before the election date, and it must end 25 days before the election takes place. 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. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. 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. 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. 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.

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