Former Hawks Executive Faces Fraud Charges
Lester Jones, who previously held a senior finance position with the Atlanta Hawks, has been accused of fraudulently embezzling $3.8 million from the NBA team. This information was reported by Mike Vorkunov and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, following an indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Georgia.
Discovery and Legal Proceedings
The alleged misconduct came to light through an audit initiated by the team, as noted by The Athletic. Jones, who has since left his position, has entered a plea of not guilty. Both the Hawks and Jones’s legal representative have refrained from commenting on the situation.
Details of the Allegations
Prosecutors allege that Jones, aged 46, misused the team’s American Express account for personal expenses, including international travel, concert tickets, and a luxury car purchase. In one instance, he reportedly altered a $229,968.76 Amex bill to disguise personal expenditures as team-related travel costs for the NBA Cup semifinals.
Additional Accusations
Sources within the league have informed The Athletic that Jones was romantically involved with another team employee and allegedly used some of the embezzled funds to buy her gifts.
Context and Recent NBA Incidents
This case emerges shortly after the arrests of NBA player Terry Rozier and former Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who were implicated in an FBI-led sports betting investigation.
Current Status
Jones has been released on a $10,000 bond as the legal process continues.
Explore More NBA News
Stay updated with the latest NBA developments on Sports Illustrated.
