STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. 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. Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. Stonecrest did not disburse the $6 million allocated to the Stonecrest Cares Program and Small Business Program. 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. He faces a max sentence of 35 years in prison. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Example video title will go here for this video, Should Be Alive Ep. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. He then asked the church to give $50,000 back to one of the companies included in the scheme. accused of personally profiting from COVID-19 relief money. Official websites use .gov 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, U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan said. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. City leaders have not chosen a specific location for the special election to be held. 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 . 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. She also agreed to pay restitution. 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. 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. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. "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. 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. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges Mayor Jason Lary misused $6.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. 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. (FOX 5). The rescue team said the man was buried up to his neck in soil. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. But he was using it for his own personal needs.. Lary is due in court to answer for fraud allegations. Boone was the companys bookkeeper and wrote multiple checks to disburse the funds, records show. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. 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. In court on Wednesday, Lary apologized to his family, friends and Stonecrest residents. Stonecrest received $6.2 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds, and the two are accused of taking some of the funds for themselves. Have a question about Government Services? The potential stakes are high for offenders who break new guidelines. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Boone, who wrote the bulk of the checks using the stolen funds, agreed with that Friday in court. Former Stonecrest mayor sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. 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. 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. Last year the Northern District of Georgia US Attorney's office prosecuted at least 100 people involved in a total of $26 million in CARES Act fraud. 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. Lary previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his attorney, Dwight Thomas, indicated on Nov. 10 that he would take a plea deal. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. Channel 2s Audrey Washington called and emailed Stonecrest officials about the announcement and the hack. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. 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. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, Former U.S. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. 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. His sentencing is set for May 2. DEKALB COUNTY, GA The former mayor of Stonecrest pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds and conspiracy, reported WAGA-TV. 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. 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. The 60-year-old Lary pleaded guilty in January to fraud and theft charges. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. He also resigned as the citys mayor. "It's time for me to retire from politics and focus on my health," Lary said. The. Sandra D. Smith has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds. Lary did not tell Church 1 at this time that he actually controlled REMC. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Lary was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution as well. Boone agreed to cooperate with government agents, provide records and testify at future trials. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Residents will soon get a chance to elect a new mayor in Stonecrest. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. Jason Lary admitted he stole more than $650,000 in CARES Act money that was supposed to help struggling businesses and church. Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. 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. The image comes from the ancient quarries where highly-trained stonemasons carefully chose the stones used in construction. ATLANTA (AP) A suburban Atlanta mayor pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges a day after announcing his resignation from office. 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. 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. Richard B. Russell Federal Building ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. "I ask that you measure me by the whole story," Lary said. "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. 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,. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. He has not been charged with a crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. 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 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. His resignation went into effect Wednesday. FORMER MAYOR ADMITS ROLE IN COVID RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME. 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. STONECREST MAYOR RESPONDS TO ACCUSATIONS OF CARES ACT FUNDS MISUSE. Lary directed $7,600 of the federal relief dollars to pay Boones sons college tuition and rent. The city of Stonecrest could hold a special election as early as March to decide Larys replacement. 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. One of the grants was to his church, which he awarded $150,000. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. During a struggle to implement new city manager, Lary said he was facing what could be his third battle with cancer. This article originally appeared on the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Kellyanne Conway, George Conway To Divorce After Decadeslong Marriage: Report, School punished teen girl for working out in sports bra in 100-degree Texas heat, ACLU says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, 'Extremely dangerous': Spike in illegal crossings at Canada-Vermont border has feds sounding alarm, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, butlight showers make brief return. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. ", 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.