Former Atlanta Hawks Finance Executive Pleads Guilty in Federal Fraud Case
Executive Admits Guilt in Federal Fraud Case
Lester T. Jones Jr., former Senior Vice President of Finance for the Atlanta Hawks, has pleaded guilty in a federal fraud case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Court records state that Jones changed his plea to guilty on a wire fraud charge and that his sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2026.
Alleged Scheme at Atlanta Hawks Organization
Federal prosecutors charged Jones with one count of wire fraud, alleging that he stole more than $3.8 million from the Atlanta Hawks organization. According to the charges, the alleged scheme occurred while Jones worked in the team’s accounting and finance department from at least May 2017 through June 2025.
Court documents state that Jones joined the Hawks in 2016 and later became the most senior accounting executive under the team’s chief financial officer. Prosecutors say Jones used his position and access to the team’s bank accounts, expense reimbursement system, and corporate American Express cards to divert team funds for personal use.
Methods Described in Court Filings
According to federal filings, Jones submitted or directed others to submit fraudulent expense reports. Court documents state that he used fake or altered invoices to obtain reimbursement for expenses that did not occur. Prosecutors also allege that Jones charged millions of dollars in personal expenses to company credit cards.
Filings describe personal charges that allegedly included luxury travel to destinations such as the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Switzerland, and Thailand. They also list purchases from Louis Vuitton, Porsche-related expenses, jewelry, and sports and concert tickets as expenses charged to company credit cards.
Efforts to Conceal Activity and System Weakness
Federal filings state that Jones attempted to conceal the alleged scheme by manipulating financial reports, altering emails, and falsely attributing large credit card balances to legitimate team operations. Prosecutors also allege that Jones exploited a weakness in the Hawks’ expense reimbursement system which, prior to July 2024, did not display actual corporate credit card transactions to employees responsible for processing reimbursements.
Specific January 2025 Incident Detailed
Court records cite a January 2025 incident in which Jones allegedly submitted a fake invoice totaling $229,968 for a team event at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Prosecutors say that no such event or charge occurred. According to the filings, Jones forwarded an altered American Express email to colleagues, approved the reimbursement himself, and used the funds to pay off personal credit card charges.
Forfeiture and Case Handling
As part of the case, prosecutors state that Jones will be required to forfeit any money or property connected to the fraud. The matter is being handled in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The Atlanta Hawks organization declined to comment when contacted in connection with the case.