A former executive with the Atlanta Hawks has been sentenced to prison for embezzling millions of dollars from the team over the course of multiple years.
Lester Jones Jr, a former finance executive for the franchise, was sentenced to three years and five months worth of prison time for embezzling about $3.7million from the team.
Jones’ scheme saw him take the money from the team through fraudulent expense reimbursement requests and the misuse of corporate credit cards.
Federal prosecutors claimed in a November court filing that Jones used the money to pay for travel, luxury apparel, jewelry, car expenses and tickets to concerts as well as sporting events. Back in December, Jones plead guilty to wire fraud.
Jones, age 46, worked in the team’s accounting and finance department from March 2016 to June of 2025.
While Jones was a senior vice president for finance – a role he started in back in August of 2021 – he was responsible for the company’s corporate credit card account with American Express.
A former Hawks executive has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for embezzling funds
The executive made purchases on a company card and filed fraudulent reimbursement claims
Jones also administered the electronic expense reimbursement program.
‘Jones turned his dream job as a high-ranking executive for the Atlanta Hawks into an opportunity to steal the team’s funds, purchasing luxury apparel, jewelry, watches, and trips for himself,’ U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement released by the Department of Justice.
‘But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison.’
An Atlanta-based special agent, Marlo Graham, says this case ‘underscores the significant damage that can be caused by insider threats within an organization.’
‘Jones abused his authority and access to embezzle millions, but schemes like this are not immune from detection,’ Graham said in a statement. ‘The FBI remains committed to investigating and disrupting financial crimes at every level.’
Prosecutors claim Jones embezzled some of the money from the Hawks by submitting dozens of fraudulent expense reimbursement requests – leading the team to pay him for fake business expenses.
Additionally, prosecutors claim Jones charged personal expenses to corporate credit cards.
Among the expenses included about $80,000 in overseas travel to The Bahamas and Thailand, $99,800 worth of clothes and apparel at Saks Fifth Avenue, a $115,795.01 diamond ring, $21,888.90 worth of Omega watches, and over $160,000 in tickets to concerts and other events.
