Former Hawks Executive Embezzled $3.8 Million

Last week, prosecutors charged Lester T. Jones, Jr., a former finance executive for the Atlanta Hawks, with one count of wire fraud.^[1] Prosecutors claim he “arranged for the Hawks to pay American Express nearly $230,000 for ‘fraudulently incurred expenses.’” ^[2]

Jones worked in the Hawks’ accounting and finance department from March 2016 through June 2025.^[3] He was the senior vice president for finance starting in August 2021, where he administered the electronic expense reimbursement program.^[4] Prosecutors allege that “Jones had insight into the program’s limitations and exploited them for personal gain.”^[5]

Jones is also accused of altering an email to make it seem as though the reimbursement request that was submitted was for expenses at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vagas during the NBA Emirates Cup.^[6] In the filing, prosecutors also accused Jones of “stealing millions of dollars from the NBA team and using the money to pay for travel, luxury apparel, jewelry, car expenses, and tickets to concerts and sporting events.” ^[7]

Jones submitted dozens of fraudulent expense reimbursement requests, which included fake and altered invoices.^[8] He also charged millions of dollars to corporate credit cards. The filing states that the money was used specifically to pay for travel to the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Switzerland and Thailand, as well as Louis Vuitton apparel and Porsche car expenses.^[9]

It is also alleged that Jones used some of the money to buy gifts for another now former Hawks employee that he was dating. ^[10]

Jones had a court appearance on October 29,^[11] where he was granted a bond of $10,000.^[12] He has to notify the court within 15 days of whether he plans to proceed to trial or enter a guilty plea.^[13]

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^[1] The Associated Press, Ex-Atlanta Hawks executive accused of stealing millions from team for luxury apparel and jewelry, NBC News (Nov. 4, 2025)

^[2] Id.

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^[10] Gardner, Steve, Former Atlanta Hawks executive charged with embezzlement, wire fraud, USA Today (Nov. 4, 2025)

^[11] Id.

^[12] Arnold, Christian, Ex- Hawks employee allegedly embezzled $3.8 million from team to pay for Porsche, lavish trips, New York Post (Nov. 4, 2025).

^[13] The Associated Press, supra note 1.