The. 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. Deana Timberlake-Wiley, Boones attorney, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. The city's first mayor did not mention his legal troubles in a resignation speech. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $119,607.69. 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. Now, the sheriff's office is hoping to reignite the search on this cold case. 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. "You don't recognize Mayor Pro Tem and council and just leave me standing there like I'm not in the meeting. Have a question about Government Services? 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. The about-face came in. A judge will have the final say on her sentencing; her conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years behind bars. Lania Boone, 60, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for her role in a scheme to steal federal pandemic relief funds. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor C. Wilmot prosecuted the case. Those duties include acting as the figurehead of the city and appointing members to boards and committees. The three conspired to steal and misappropriate relief funds intended for struggling businesses in Stonecrest. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. Lary did not tell the businesses that he controlled these entities. 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.. 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. Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. Stonecrest ex-mayor's cohort pleads guilty in fraud scheme Lary resigned a day before he pleaded guilty to. 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. Inpractice, the Stonecrest Cares Program directed relief funds to churches and non-profit organizations in and around Stonecrest. WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window), Reality star Honey Boo Boo was inside speeding Dodge Charger involved in chase with Ga. deputies, 49-year-old man shot multiple times during drug deal in northeast Atlanta, police say, A 17-year-old Gwinnett County girl thought she was taking Percocet; now shes dead, Man rescued after being accidentally buried alive in Cherokee County, Our capital city will die: Georgia senators reject proposal to separate Buckhead from Atlanta. ATLANTA - Clarence Boone, the former Senior Economic Development Manager of Stonecrest, pleaded guilty to conspiring with his wife, Lania Boone, and the former Mayor of Stonecrest, Jason Lary, to steal pandemic relief funds intended to support small businesses in Stonecrest. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The phrase is quoted by Jesus, who applies it to his mission of death and glory, after having told the . Stone clemency order shows Trump wiped prison sentence, supervised Hardworking people like us, Will Morrell said. Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges "I came back too early from my second round with cancer. Lary continued with the meeting after an IT tech fixed the problem. The population is now 60,000 with a budget of more than $13 million. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie a rarity for a five-member City Council. 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. Lary, 60, pleaded. 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 wont be required to report to prison until after Dec. 15, giving him time for more cancer treatments. . Attorneys for the Northern District of Georgia, Former Mayor of Stonecrest sentenced to prison for stealing 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, Former Mayor of Stonecrest Sentenced To Prison For Stealing COVID 19 Relief Funds. 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. "There was never an interest on anybodys part to kick back or filter money back or any of that nonsense.". Stonecrest mayor pleads guilty to federal fraud charges - CBS 46 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. Richard B. Russell Federal Building The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only news outlet at the hearing. He explained he needs to take some time to work with doctors and care for himself. STONECREST, Ga. Former Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges just hours after resigning Wednesday. I let us down, he told the court, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The first is verse 22, "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone". 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, whose resignation. A bookkeeper and spouse of a - DeKalb County News Now | Facebook "CARES Act funds were intended to help people and businesses harmed by the pandemic, not to line the pockets of public officials entrusted to lead a community", said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. Official websites use .gov Former Stonecrest Mayor Pleads Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges His sentencing is set for May 2. 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. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call Tuesday.. A Georgia Senator said he was unsurprised to hear about the indictment. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]. The relief funds were designed to cover costs during the public health emergency. Lock 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. "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. 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. Former mayor asks judge if he can serve sentence from home after 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. Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. 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. Clarence Boone, 60, of Decatur, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2023. For example, Lary used relief funds held by Visit Us to pay for an associates political advertising. 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 . This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Jason Lary was accused of stealing more than $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. 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. Boones case matches the legal process used by Jason Lary, the founding mayor of Stonecrest. Then, Lary caused the city to enter a contract with MPRC to disburse the relief funds as directed by Stonecrest. Jones tried to get a comment from Larys attorney after court, but he refused to make a statement. Lary previously denied the accusations of fraud. 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, churches and the people of the city. 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. Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. Lania Boone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft on February 11, 2022. His sentencing hearing has been set for May 2. An official website of the United States government. Those companies were all connected to Lary. 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. Lary was supposed to be in office until the end of 2023. Main Office: Lary pleaded guilty to wire fraud, federal program theft, and conspiracy on January 5, 2022. Lary announced his resignation to the city on a Zoom call . His resignation went into effect Wednesday. 2023 FOX Television Stations, resignation went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief. The resolution also adopted a funding plan for most of Stonecrests relief funds. They are purposely seeking to tear down everything I have worked to build in Stonecrest. Stonecrest was required to spend the relief funds in accordance with the CARES Act. He also resigned as the citys mayor. "Quite frankly folks, now its turned ugly," he said during a news conference in April 2021. The city will hold a special election on May 24 to fill the rest of the mayors term after the office was vacated by Jason Lary in January. Former Stonecrest mayor's accomplice pleads guilty to felony - ajc "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. I should've stayed out for several months, but circumstances prevailed where I needed to come back earlier," Lary said. Lary announced his resignation during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday. Andrea V. Watson. Atlanta, GA 30303-3309. STONECREST, Ga. Editor's note: The video above is from a previous story. 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. The discussion comes after the censure of Stonecrest's mayor for comments he made during a meeting. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorneys Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Lania Boone, a bookkeeper Lary hired for one of companies, admitted to helping the former mayor siphon CARES act money for personal use.