Lester Jones, a former senior vice president with the Atlanta Hawks, was charged last week with fraud and wire fraud for allegedly embezzling $3.8 million from the team. The scheme involved fraudulent use of the team's American Express cards to fund personal trips, a Porsche, and gifts. Jones pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bond.
Lester Jones, 46, served as the Atlanta Hawks' senior vice president of financial planning and analysis for nearly a decade before his employment ended following the discovery of the alleged embezzlement. According to federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Jones controlled the team's American Express card account and authorized multiple corporate cards for himself. He allegedly used these to divert funds for personal expenses, totaling $3.8 million.
The scheme came to light through a team-backed audit. Prosecutors detailed how Jones altered financial reports, faked emails, and submitted bogus bills to the accounting department. A key example involved a $229,968.76 American Express bill he claimed was for the Hawks' stay at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas during the NBA Cup semifinals. In reality, no such team stay occurred, and the charges covered his personal spending; Jones reportedly doctored an email from American Express to support the claim.
Alleged purchases included international trips to the Bahamas, Hawaii, Thailand, and Switzerland, as well as a Porsche, concert tickets, and expensive gifts. Multiple sources indicated Jones was in a romantic relationship with another Hawks employee, for whom he bought some of the gifts using stolen funds. That employee is also no longer with the team, though it's unclear if she knew about the embezzlement.
Jones was indicted last week, arrested in Georgia, and released after pleading not guilty. The Hawks have declined to comment on the matter. The team, which finished 40-42 last season and missed the playoffs, currently holds a 3-4 record.