Former Atlanta Hawks Finance Exec Charged With Embezzling $3.8 Million

Lester Jones, a erstwhile Hawks finance executive, was charged past week pinch fraud and embezzling $3.8 cardinal from nan Atlanta-based NBA team, Mike Vorkunov and Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported Monday, via an indictment brought by nan U.S. Attorney's Office for nan Northern District of Georgia.

Jones's alleged crimes were uncovered owed to a team-backed audit, The Athletic reported. He pleaded not blameworthy to nan charges and is nary longer employed by nan Hawks, who declined to remark for The Athletic's story. An lawyer for Jones besides did not return a petition for comment.

According to prosecutors, Jones, 46, controlled nan Hawks' American Express paper relationship and allegedly took advantage of that power to walk connected individual trips to world destinations, bargain tickets to concerts and moreover salary for a Porsche.

In different instance, prosecutors declare nan now ex-senior VP of finance allegedly doctored a $229,968.76 measure from Amex to make it look for illustration nan money had been utilized connected recreation and logistics for nan Hawks’ travel to nan semifinals of nan NBA Cup, erstwhile it had really been utilized for his individual spending.

Moreover, aggregate convention sources besides told The Athletic that Jones was successful a narration pinch different squad worker and is believed to person utilized immoderate of nan money he allegedly stole to bargain her gifts.

News of these alleged financial crimes notably arrives not agelong aft NBA defender Terry Rozier and then-Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested past period successful a sports gambling probe spearheaded by nan FBI.

Jones was released connected $10,000 enslaved past week.

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