Jones engaged in a long-running scheme of fraudulent expense reimbursements and misuse of the Hawks’ corporate AmEx account to fund personal purchases and travel from 2016 through mid-2025, including luxury items, car expenses, and event tickets.

He pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December and was sentenced to three years and five months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, with restitution totaling approximately $3.898 million.

The embezzlement only came to light after Jones attempted to process a $230,000 Wynn Las Vegas hotel bill for an NBA Cup trip, triggering an audit and uncovering the scheme.

Details on the start of the embezzlement and when discrepancies were first detected remain undisclosed, and it isn’t clear whether other employees are being investigated.

The Hawks declined to comment on the sentencing; an FBI official stressed the risk and disruption caused by insider threats and the importance of detection.

Officials characterized insider embezzlement as a serious breach with consequences that can include federal prison.

The information was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office after the court proceedings.

Prosecutors and law enforcement underscored the insider-nature of the crime, with comments from U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and an FBI official about the broader crackdown on financial crimes.

Federal authorities described Jones’s actions as exploiting a high-trust role, with emphasis on insider-threat risks and ongoing investigative commitments.

The sentencing remarks included a statement that insider fraud destroys trust and leads to prison, reinforcing the message against such misconduct.

Jones, 46, resides in Atlanta and will serve his sentence under federal jurisdiction.

The case highlights financial crime within professional sports management and the legal consequences for misusing employer funds.