Former Atlanta Hawks executive sentenced for using team money for personal use

A former Atlanta Hawks executive has been sentenced after being found guilty of using the organization’s money for his personal gain.

Ex-Atlanta Hawks Vice President of Finance Lester T. Jones, Jr., has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison and then three years of supervised release after embezzling $3.7 million in team money. The money was charged to the company credit card to fund vacations and luxury jewelry.

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement released by the Department of Justice, “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.”

A rundown of Jones’ expenses he used with the company card included trips to the Bahamas and Thailand, which cost approximately $80,000 in overseas travel to the Bahamas and Thailand, $99,800 in apparel at Saks Fifth Avenue, a $115,795.01 diamond ring, $21,888.90 in Omega watches, and over $160,000 in tickets to concerts and other events, according to prosecutors per ESPN.

“But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison,” Hertzberg added.

The Hawks hired Jones back in 2016, where he worked for the team’s accounting and finance department from 2016 through 2025. In 2021, he was promoted and took over as the top executive.

Jones’ case “underscores the significant damage that can be caused by insider threats within an organization,” said Marlo Graham, an Atlanta-based special agent.

“Jones abused his authority and access to embezzle millions, but schemes like this are not immune from detection,” Graham said added in a statement. “The FBI remains committed to investigating and disrupting financial crimes at every level.”

Jones had plead guilty to the wire fraud back in December. He was ordered to pay nearly $3.9 million in restitution following his sentencing.

The Hawks had not yet commented on the sentencing at this time.

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