The last day Stonecrest residents can register to vote in time for the special election is April 25. This man's imprisonment shows why California's 'special circumstances Third, Lary and others acting on his behalf solicited relief funds from businesses that received grants under the Small Business Program. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. Lary asked potential recipients to kickback 25% of their grant to other companies for "marketing" purposes. Stonecrest's former Senior Economic Development Manager pleads guilty The City Council voted Monday to set the election date, determine qualifying information and formally ask ask the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections to run the election. 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 wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. This sentencing holds Lary accountable for abusing his position of trust and blatant disrespect for the law.. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. As mayor, he took control of who received $6.2 million in CARES Act money. 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 . 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). Have a question about Government Services? 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. Larys last public address to his constituents delivered one last bombshell moment to his tenure. 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. This story is breaking. 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.. 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. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. The plan provided $1 million to the Stonecrest Cares Program for mask distribution, COVID-19 education and testing, and other purposes. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges | AP News Cobbles term is set to expire in 2026, so another special election will be necessary. Instead, prosecutors said Lary used the money to cover his own tax liabilities and pay off the mortgage on his lake house. Richard B. Russell Federal Building Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary pleads guilty to federal - WAGA "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. 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. Lock Second, Lary told churches that received relief funds from the Stonecrest Cares Program that they were required to contribute a portion of those funds for purposes identified by Lary. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold 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,. 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. Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme Erskine told the FOX 5 I-Team he is accused of pocketing more than $650,000. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. 2021 5 Feb. "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" ( Psalm 118:22 ). I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2022. Yet Lary and others asked that these contributions be given not to Stonecrest, but to entities called Visit Us, Inc. and Battleground Media, LLC. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. Lary, who faces up to 35 years in prison, will be sentenced on May 2. 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. Stonecrest sets May election date to replace mayor after guilty - ajc 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. All rights reserved. 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, officials said. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Lary and others falsely claimed that the money would be each businesss contribution to Stonecrest-related marketing and advertising. Main Office: Jason Lary, whose resignation. Per federal rules, Stonecrest officials could only spend these relief funds on necessary expenditures related to . Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. The judge says Larys actions were deplorable and rejected a defense request for Lary to avoid prison time. A lock ( By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. In total, businesses were defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars of relief funds. The details of Boones plea deal are similar to the one Lary accepted. Puede participar en nuestro ensayo sobre EPOC? In September 2020, Jason Lary, then the Mayor of Stonecrest, signed a resolution acknowledging these CARES Act requirements. Later in December 2020 and January 2021, Clarence Boone coordinated with Lary and Lania Boone to use $108,155.52 of relief funds to pay off the mortgage on Larys lakefront home in Macon, Georgia, and used more than $7,600 of relief funds to pay college tuition, a meal plan, books, and rent for Clarence Boones son. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. Lary is free on bond. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. 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. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. In a special-called meeting, members of the Stonecrest City Council voted 4-1 to censure Lary. He's accused of federal fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. Andrea V. Watson. 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. The city will hold a special election on May 24 to fill the rest of the mayor's term after the office was vacated by Jason Lary in January. 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. The people of Stonecrest deserved better, and corrupt officials can expect severe consequences for using their offices to commit crimes.. A bookkeeper and spouse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Facebook Until a new mayor is elected, the mayors responsibilities will be handled by the mayor pro tem. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. 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. Both Boone and Lary remain out of jail on bond until their sentencing hearings. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, Former mayor of Stonecrest, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID-19 relief funds, LIST: Schools across Georgia closing early ahead of possible severe weather, Gallery of storm damage across GA: Send us your photos, videos, Firefighters rescue Cherokee County man buried up to his neck in trench, Excel Church gives despite recovery from fire, Father and 9-month-old daughter reported missing in Clayton County, 26-year-old woman shot while driving in Decatur, Sign up for Atlanta News First Newsletters. Lary, 60, pleaded. 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. 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. An official website of the United States government. Lary faces up to 35 years in prison on all three counts. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. "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.". I will show you my hairy behind next time it happens and that's the only warning I'm going to give with this.". "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. Instead of being a trustworthy steward of CARES Act funding, Clarence Boone and his co-conspirators schemed to misappropriate those funds to enrich themselves at the expense of those less fortunate. 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. Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. 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, Clayton County twin sisters make history rising the ranks in Georgia UPS facility, Prominent Roswell restaurant owner charged with sexual crimes involving 2 minors, Families intensify search for two men missing for more than a week, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Police issue close to 100 traffic tickets at same Sandy Springs intersection, 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. 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. Under the CARES Act, the federal government distributed COVID-19 relief funds to individual Americans, federal agencies, and state and local governments, including $125 million to DeKalb County. 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. 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. Around the same time, Lary directed approximately $7,600 in stolen relief funds to be used for Boones sons college tuition and rent. In January, Jason Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal program theft and federal program theft. Have a question about Government Services? ATLANTA Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary was sentenced to 57 months in prison Wednesday after he stole more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant for the recovery of businesses,. Former Stonecrest mayor, bookkeeper plead guilty to theft of COVID The FBI and prosecutors found that $108,000 of relief funds were used to pay off the mortgage on a lakefront home owned by Lary, while another $7,600 was used to pay college tuition and rent for Boones son. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. ", 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. . The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. "What the mayor said was unacceptable and does not represent city council," said Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. 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.