Stonecrest families deserve leaders they can trust. Instead, former mayor Jason Lary — who admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief meant for struggling small businesses — is once again seeking public office.

In 2022, Lary pled guilty in federal court to wire fraud, conspiracy, and federal program theft. He was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for personally pocketing money meant to keep local businesses afloat during the pandemic. That betrayal of trust devastated Stonecrest’s reputation and robbed neighbors of help they needed most.

Now, after serving less than three years of his sentence, Lary is running for a city council seat. Yes, he may have legally had his rights restored, but the fact remains: the people of Stonecrest should never again be asked to entrust their tax dollars and public resources to someone who has already abused that trust.

Public office is not a “second chance” program for politicians who stole from their own communities. It is a position of honor and responsibility, and it must be reserved for leaders who have shown integrity. Allowing Lary to return to power sends the message that corruption has no real consequence — and that Stonecrest residents’ voices and livelihoods don’t matter.

We call on the Stonecrest City Council and the DeKalb County Board of Elections to take every possible step to protect the integrity of this election and bar Jason Lary from returning to public office. And we call on the residents of Stonecrest to stand up together and say clearly: enough is enough.

Stonecrest deserves leaders who uplift the community, not ones who use it for personal gain.

Add your name to demand that convicted ex-mayor Jason Lary never again hold public office in Stonecrest.