ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A former finance executive for the Hawks has been charged with defrauding the team out of millions of dollars, according to an indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
The indictment claims Lester Jones, the team’s former senior vice president of financial planning and analysis, embezzled nearly $3.8 million from the Hawks.
Jones is no longer employed by the team.
>> READ THE INDICTMENT BELOW
According to the indictment, Jones had access to the Hawks’ American Express card account and used that power to pay for international travel, a Porsche and live event tickets.
Among the many charges to the team’s account was a charge for a $229,968.76 stay at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas during last season’s NBA Cup. The indictment said the stay never happened.
A LinkedIn page tied to Jones says he began working for the Hawks in 2016.
Jones was reportedly released on $10,000 bond.
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