Former Atlanta Hawks executive Lester T. Jones Jr. has been charged with being part of an embezzlement scheme. Prosecutors allege that he stole more than $3.8 million from the NBA team.
Jones worked for the Hawks since 2016 and was the team’s senior vice president of finance from 2021 to June 2025. Last week, he was charged with one count of wire fraud by prosecutors in the Northern District of Georgia.
Prosecutors made numerous allegations of financial impropriety against Jones
Prosecutors claim Jones submitted numerous fraudulent expense reimbursement requests to the Hawks from 2017 through June 2025. He allegedly created false invoices and altered others, manipulating financial reports, and doctoring emails. He also allegedly used his Atlanta Hawks corporate card to take personal trips to several locations including the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, and Thailand. Jones is also accused of using the card to buy apparel and jewelry, a Porsche, and tickets to concerts and other events.
The Athletic cites one such example of the alleged fraud perpetrated by Lester T. Jones Jr. In January 2025, Jones falsely changed an email from American Express to dupe the Hawks into paying for his personal spending.
He allegedly asked a Hawks employee to fill out a reimbursement form for $229,968.76. Jones claimed the money had been used on “NBA Emirates Cup, Tickets, Credentials, Logistics, Room” during a trip to Las Vegas on Dec. 12, 2024. No such charge was made to a credit card, nor did the hotel he allegedly stayed at submit an invoice to the team.
In his position as senior vice president of finance, Jones had “special access” to the team’s financials. He also controlled the team’s American Express card account and had the ability to authorize charges. He also had the ability to charge expenses for other employees. Sources within the claim also claim Jones was in a romantic relationship with another former Hawks employee. He allegedly purchased expensive gifts for her with some of the money he is accused of embezzling.
Lester T. Jones now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud. Prosecutors are also seeking forfeiture of Jones’ property and any money he gained through the alleged scheme.
The post Former Atlanta Hawks Executive Charged With Embezzling Millions From Team appeared first on BroBible.
Former Atlanta Hawks Executive Charged With Embezzling Millions From Team
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