Former Exec Sentenced to 3 Years for Embezzling $3.7 Million from NBA Team Owned by Jami Gertz and Billionaire Husband
Lester T. Jones, Jr. racked up millions by funding his personal lifestyle with the team's money, authorities said
State Farm Arena in Atlanta in 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr. NEED TO KNOW An Atlanta-based NBA exec has been sentenced to prison after using the company’s earnings to fund his lavish lifestyle Lester T.
Jones, Jr. , 46, started working with the Atlanta Hawks in 2016, before he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December 2025 He spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on personal international vacations and high-priced jewelry, prosecutors said A former NBA executive has been sentenced to prison for misusing funds while working for the Atlanta Hawks. On Wednesday, April 29, the U.
S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, announced that Lester T. Jones, Jr.
, 46,was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for embezzling approximately $3. 7 million from the team through fraudulent expense reimbursement requests and misuse of corporate credit cards. Jones also pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December 2025.