Lester T. Jones, Jr., a former senior accounting executive for the Atlanta Hawks, was sentenced on Apr. 29 to three years and five months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud involving approximately $3.7 million in embezzled funds.
The case highlights the risks posed by insider threats within organizations and underscores the importance of financial oversight in professional sports teams and other large businesses.
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, "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. But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison." Marlo Graham of FBI Atlanta said: "This case underscores the significant damage that can be caused by insider threats within an organization. Jones abused his authority and access to embezzle millions, but schemes like this are not immune from detection. The FBI remains committed to investigating and disrupting financial crimes at every level."
Court documents show that Jones joined ATL Hawks LLC's Accounting and Finance Department in 2016 before becoming Senior Vice President of Finance in August 2021—the most senior accounting role after Chief Financial Officer at the time. He later became sole administrator of both corporate credit card accounts with American Express and electronic reimbursement platforms used by employees.
From early 2021 through June 2025, Jones submitted fraudulent expense reimbursement requests and charged personal expenses—including overseas travel, luxury goods such as a diamond ring valued over $115,000—on corporate cards while concealing these actions from colleagues.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia prioritized prosecution of threats such as terrorism, human trafficking and civil rights violations to serve its community according to its official website. The office enforced federal criminal laws while representing the United States in civil matters alongside law enforcement partners according to its official website. Hertzberg held his position as United States Attorney for this district according to its official website.
The Northern District covers about 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains through metropolitan suburbs bordering Alabama and Carolinas according to its official website, coordinates cases with national or international impact according to its official website, and serves as principal federal law enforcement agency locally according to its official website.
Jones was also ordered supervised release after serving his sentence plus restitution payments totaling nearly $3.9 million.
