Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary Indicted for Filing False Documents in Council Run

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has been indicted on charges related to filing false documents with DeKalb County as part of his attempt to run for the Stonecrest City Council.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the indictment Thursday afternoon, saying Lary faces charges of making false statements, false swearing, and false registration. Lary, who was previously federally convicted for stealing COVID-19 relief funds, remains under federal supervision.

Background
In August, Lary registered to vote and filed paperwork to run for the District 5 City Council seat in Stonecrest. He was later disqualified from the race. However, according to prosecutors, Lary stated on his voter registration and candidate qualification forms that he was not a convicted felon — signing the documents under oath.

During a Thursday news conference, DA Boston sharply criticized Lary’s decision to pursue public office despite his prior conviction. “I think it’s pretty bold for any elected official who has been convicted recently of a felony — that was covered extensively by the media — and it’s no secret to anyone in the DeKalb County community — to, once being released from federal prison, make the first thing they do be to run for office,” Boston said.

Next Steps
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Lary and his attorney reached an agreement allowing him to turn himself in and be released on a $5,000 bond. Lary, who served as Stonecrest’s founding mayor, was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison in 2022 for diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief funds intended to support residents and businesses.

What’s Next
If convicted of the new charges, Lary could face additional state prison time and restrictions on his civil rights, including his ability to vote or seek public office in Georgia. Legal experts say the case underscores the importance of candidate vetting and verification in local elections, especially when candidates have prior convictions.

The indictment also raises broader questions about Stonecrest’s political future, as city leaders continue efforts to rebuild public trust following a series of controversies that began during Lary’s administration.

The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said no further comment will be made until Lary’s initial court appearance.