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Ex-Hawks VP Gets 3-Year Prison for $3.7M Embezzlement

4/30/2026

Summary

Jones Sentenced

Lester T. Jones Jr., former Atlanta Hawks VP for finance, received a three-year-five-month prison sentence for embezzling $3.7 million.
After pleading guilty to wire fraud in December 2025, he must repay $3.9 million while using American Express cards for fraudulent travel, Saks apparel, a diamond ring, Omega watches and concert tickets.
Jones will serve three years of release, which U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and FBI Special Agent Marlo Graham said highlights insider-threat risk.

Summary

Jones Card Fraud

Lester Jones Jr. was the only employee who could view corporate American Express card numbers, balances and identities, showing no segregation of duties.
He alone administered the Hawks’ corporate credit-card program, controlling issuance, payments and suspensions without independent oversight.
Court filings show the fraud operated from an unknown start date until about June 2025, indicating prolonged abuse.
The case has drawn attention to the need for multiple-person approval in NBA team finances.

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Jones Sentenced

Lester T. Jones Jr., former Atlanta Hawks VP for finance, received a three-year-five-month prison sentence for embezzling $3.7 million.
After pleading guilty to wire fraud in December 2025, he must repay $3.9 million while using American Express cards for fraudulent travel, Saks apparel, a diamond ring, Omega watches and concert tickets.
Jones will serve three years of release, which U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and FBI Special Agent Marlo Graham said highlights insider-threat risk.

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