A former Atlanta Hawks executive is heading to federal prison after embezzling millions from the NBA franchise to fund a lavish lifestyle that included luxury apparel, jewelry, and international vacations.

Lester T. Jones, Jr., 46, was sentenced on Wednesday, April 29, to three years and five months behind bars for stealing approximately $3.7 million from the team through fraudulent expense reimbursement requests and misuse of corporate credit cards. He had previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December 2025.

Jones joined the Hawks' Accounting and Finance Department in 2016 and climbed the ranks to become Senior Vice President of Finance in August 2021. By that time, he had already become the sole administrator of the team's corporate credit card account with American Express—a position that prosecutors say he exploited for personal gain.

“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,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated. “But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison.”

The Hawks are owned by businessman Tony Ressler and his wife, actress Jami Gertz, who purchased the team for an estimated $850 million in 2015. The organization declined to comment on the sentencing.

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham noted that Jones “abused his authority” and leveraged his access to the organization to steal millions. The case serves as a stark reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, financial misconduct has serious consequences.

For fans and sports apparel enthusiasts, this story underscores the importance of integrity both on and off the court—and why the gear you wear should be earned, not stolen.