Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. "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. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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. 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.. Suite 600 For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. Richard B. Russell Federal Building The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Jason Lary, whose resignation. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Chief of Public Integrity and Civil Rights, is prosecuting the case. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. The government said no marketing was ever done. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. However, federal authorities said Lary worked behind the scenes with an organization known as Municipal Resource Partners Corporation, Inc. ("MRPC") to disburse the relief funds. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. Author: 11alive.com Published: 6:24 PM EST February 11, 2022 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. 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. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. 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. Lary placed the defendant, Clarence Boone, who was then Senior Economic Development Manager for Stonecrest, in charge of overseeing the Small Business Program. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. 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 . accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . "I did the best I could do with what we had in place.". Official websites use .gov "Boones guilty plea further demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who seek to exploit COVID relief programs for their own gain. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. 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. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Hopefully, he gets all of that, Morrell said. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Credit: Photo courtesy of Boston College Athletics, Former Stonecrest mayors accomplice pleads guilty to felony, Stonecrest councilwoman among candidates running to replace disgraced mayor, Jahmyr Gibbs: Georgia Tech helped make me who I am today, Georgia Tech closes regular season with win over Boston College. 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. 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 said he had surgery in late December 2020. SB 300, also called the Sentencing Reform Act, would rewrite part of Proposition 115, a 1990 ballot initiative that expanded the definition of first-degree murder to include murder committed . ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 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. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. The first mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to the federal charges earlier this year. The. His legal team is citing his health and lack of criminal record should merit a lighter sentence. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Wilmot said Lary used some of that stolen money to pay off the $108,147 mortgage on his lakefront home in Macon. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. Stonecrest could hold a special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat as early as March. 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. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. None the less, I will continue to serve the people of the great city of Stonecrest.". Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. It's been five years since a Carroll County man mysteriously disappeared from his home. 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. 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. This story is breaking. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. In another case, Lary allegedly gave a church $50,000. 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. Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Have a question about Government Services? 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 While I was out on cancer leave, they removed me from every committee I created, refused to pay my car allowance, while paying six figures to the finance director and $209,000 annually to the acting city manager (including a car allowance). Lary also made the defendants wife, Lania Boone, the bookkeeper charged with distributing relief funds. 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. He also resigned as the citys mayor. Instead, Lary spent the money to pay his own property expenses and his dues to the Georgia Campaign Finance Committee. 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. "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. Lary won the mayors race twice, the citys only mayor in its brief history. He declined to say what type of cancer he is battling but said it seems to be resurfacing for the third time. 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). 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. 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. Since Larys term was set to expire at the end of 2023, the city charter requires a special election to fill his post. 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.
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