In one other unhealthy information day for the league, a former Atlanta Hawks government was arrested and charged with fraud and embezzling $3.8 million from the franchise, The Athletic has revealed.
“Jones, 46, of Atlanta, was charged with fraud and embezzling $3.8 million from the NBA franchise, based on an indictment introduced final week by the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Northern District of Georgia. Proof of his alleged crimes was uncovered by way of a team-backed audit, a number of league sources advised The Athletic.”
Daniel Jones reportedly got here beneath scrutiny after submitting a fee request to the staff’s accounting division earlier this yr. In January, Jones allegedly requested for the group to cowl a $229,968.76 American Specific cost for what he claimed was a team-related keep on the Wynn Lodge in Las Vegas.
The expense appeared legit on the time, coinciding with the Hawks’ journey to town for the NBA Cup semifinals, and the fee was authorised.
Nonetheless, federal prosecutors later mentioned the lodge keep by no means occurred and that the invoice itself was fabricated. They allege the request was a part of a broader, years-long scheme through which Jones siphoned cash from the franchise throughout his almost ten-year tenure.
Jones had been romantically concerned with one other Hawks worker and is accused of utilizing stolen funds to bathe her with luxurious items, The Athletic says.
Prosecutors declare Jones exploited his management over the staff’s American Specific accounts to fund a lavish way of life. With authority to situation and approve expenses, he allegedly created a number of company playing cards for private use, spending on worldwide holidays to locations just like the Bahamas, Hawaii, Thailand, and Switzerland.
He additionally reportedly purchased a Porsche, together with tickets to concert events and different high-end occasions.
Federal authorities additional allege Jones went to important lengths to hide his actions, altering monetary information, forging emails to legitimize bills, and misclassifying his private expenses as team-related prices. He’s now dealing with a federal wire fraud cost.
He has since been dismissed from his place, pleaded not responsible and was launched on a $10,000 bond final week. His lawyer didn’t reply to requests for remark.
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