STONECREST, Ga. - Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, who served prison time for stealing federal COVID-19 relief funds, has been disqualified from running for city council, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution .

What we know:

Lary, 62, had qualified in August to run for the District 5 council seat, just months after being released from federal prison in February. In 2022, he was sentenced to 57 months behind bars after admitting he diverted nearly $1 million in pandemic aid. Prosecutors said he pressured local churches and businesses to kick back portions of their grants to companies he secretly controlled.

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The backstory:

Federal investigators said Lary used his influence as mayor to d

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