Federal prosecutors have charged a former Atlanta Hawks executive with embezzling millions from the franchise in one of the most shocking front-office scandals in recent NBA memory. The case centers around Lester Jones, the team’s former Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, who allegedly stole approximately $3.8 million over nearly a decade from the Hawks .

In an article published by The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, Joe Vardon, and Sam Amick, it was reported that Jones had been quietly stealing from the franchise through falsified expense reports and doctored vendor invoices. The alleged fraud unraveled following a suspicious expense tied to a luxury Las Vegas hotel.

“But there was no stay at the Wynn, according to federal prosecutors, and no bill for it.”

The in

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