Overview
- The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia charged Lester Jones with wire fraud, alleging he diverted about $3.8 million in Atlanta Hawks funds.
- Jones pleaded not guilty and was released on bond, and a court order filed Oct. 31 gives him 15 days to declare whether he will proceed to trial or enter a plea.
- Prosecutors say Jones controlled the team's American Express account, issued multiple corporate cards to himself, and authorized charges he disguised as organizational expenses.
- Alleged personal spending includes trips to the Bahamas, Hawaii, Thailand and Switzerland, a Porsche, concert tickets and luxury goods, according to the charging document.
- The filing details altered financial reports and a forged American Express email to obtain a $229,968.76 payment for a nonexistent Wynn Las Vegas stay, with a Hawks audit uncovering the discrepancies and ending his employment.