ATLANTA (Diya TV) — A former finance executive for the Atlanta Hawks will spend more than three years in federal prison after prosecutors said he stole millions from the NBA franchise to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Lester T. Jones Jr., 46, who served as the team’s vice president of finance, received a sentence of three years and five months behind bars. Authorities said he embezzled about $3.7 million from the organization over several years. Jones pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December. In addition to prison time, the court ordered him to pay $3,898,486 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after completing his sentence. Federal prosecutors described the case as a major breach of trust inside a professional sports organization.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said Jones exploited his senior role for personal gain.
“Jones turned his dream job as a high-ranking executive for the Atlanta Hawks into an opportunity to steal the team’s funds,” Hertzberg said in a statement. “He purchased luxury apparel, jewelry, watches, and trips for himself.”
Hertzberg added that the sentence sends a clear message to corporate executives who misuse company resources. He said those who abuse trust for financial gain will face serious consequences in federal court.
According to court records, Jones joined the Hawks in 2016 and rose through the ranks. By 2021, he had control over the organization’s American Express accounts. Prosecutors said he became the only employee with full access to credit card activity and expense systems. That level of control allowed him to carry out the fraud without immediate detection. Investigators said Jones submitted false expense reports and used company credit cards for personal purchases. He disguised the charges as legitimate business expenses to avoid scrutiny.
Authorities provided a detailed breakdown of Jones’ spending. The records show he spent tens of thousands of dollars on luxury items and travel. He charged about $80,000 for trips to destinations including the Bahamas and Thailand. He also spent nearly $100,000 at Saks Fifth Avenue on high-end retail purchases. Among the most notable expenses, Jones used company funds to buy a diamond ring valued at about $115,000. He also spent nearly $22,000 on luxury watches.
In addition, prosecutors said he used more than $160,000 for concerts, entertainment events, and other personal activities. Officials said the pattern of spending showed a consistent misuse of company resources for personal benefit.
The case highlights risks companies face when a single employee controls financial systems without oversight. Prosecutors said stronger internal controls could help prevent similar fraud schemes. The National Basketball Association team did not publicly detail how it discovered the fraud. However, authorities said the investigation uncovered years of unauthorized transactions. Legal experts note that wire fraud charges often carry significant penalties, especially when large sums of money are involved. The court considered the scale of the fraud and Jones’ leadership position when determining the sentence.
