Former Hawks Exec Gets 3 Years In Prison For Using Team Money On Trips, Jewelry
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Ex-Atlanta Hawks Vice President of Finance Lester T. Jones, Jr. has been sentenced to more than three years in prison … after embezzling $3.7 million in team money and charging luxurious vacations and jewelry purchases to the company credit card, officials announced.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg went IN on the 46-year-old former exec on Wednesday … saying, “Jones turned his dream job as a high-ranking executive for the Atlanta Hawks into an opportunity to steal the team’s funds, purchasing luxury apparel, jewelry, watches, and trips for himself.”
“But, for Jones and others who abuse their employers’ trust to embezzle substantial funds, the gravy train’s final destination is federal prison.”
Jones first joined the Hawks in 2016 … and worked his way up the ladder before taking control of the org.’s American Express accounts in 2021. According to officials, he was the only employee with access to all the deets surrounding credit card activity.
And boy, did he take advantage of that — he allegedly racked up an insane tab by filling out bogus expense reports and using the company card for personal use like luxury apparel, jewelry, watches and vacations.
A breakdown for the personal expenses on the AmEx was provided — he spent $80k on trips to the Bahamas and Thailand, nearly $100k in Saks Fifth Avenue purchases, a $115k diamond ring, nearly $22k in watches and more than $160k for concerts and other events.
Jones Jr. — who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in December — was sentenced to three years and five months in the slammer and then three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $3,898,486.00 in restitution.
Coffee and energy drinks are popular sources of caffeine, but may have different health effects. Credit: Health / Getty Images
Both coffee and energy drinks can vary in caffeine content.
Moderate caffeine consumption is recommended for reducing the risk to your heart.
Energy drinks have been shown to cause heart problems, but more research is needed.
Coffee and energy drinks are popular options for a quick energy boost. Both caffeinated beverages can support physical endurance, alertness, and reaction time. However, they can also increase heart rate, reduce steadiness, and increase your added sugar intake.
Which One Will Give You More Energy?
Coffee and energy drinks can both range in caffeine content, which can affect their impact on energy levels. Coffee drinks vary in caffeine based on the brew method and bean type, but on average, a cup (8 ounces) of coffee contains about 113-247 milligrams of caffeine.
Standard 16-ounce energy drinks can contain anywhere from 70 to 240 milligrams of caffeine. Concentrated 2-2.5 ounce energy shots pack about 113-200 milligrams of caffeine in a much smaller volume.
It's important to be aware of how much caffeine you’re consuming and check nutrition labels. However, energy drink manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the caffeine content.
Which Has a Greater Impact on Heart Health?
Research shows consuming high levels of caffeine can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, as well as affect your heart’s rhythm. This risk is especially high for children since their cardiovascular and nervous systems aren’t fully developed.
Coffee's effect on heart health is more widely researched than that of energy drinks. Evidence suggests that moderate coffee drinking can support heart health, while heavy consumption increases heart disease risk. How you prepare your coffee also affects the way it impacts your heart. Boiled coffee, like the kind you can make with a French press, can increase your cholesterol levels. High amounts of caffeine can also have negative effects on the heart, so many people with existing heart conditions choose decaf coffee out of caution.
Some case studies show that energy drink consumption can harm heart health, even in young people, but more research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this. Some of the more severe cases include sudden death from drinking an energy drink.
What Other Ingredients, Besides Caffeine, Can Affect My Health?
Coffee and energy drinks aren’t just pure caffeine. It’s important to consider their other ingredients when thinking about how they can impact your health. Early research suggests some of the cardiovascular effects of coffee and energy drinks may be more related to other ingredients than caffeine.
For example, energy drinks can contain a range of other ingredients, such as guarana (which contains additional caffeine), sugar, B vitamins, and other energy-boosting compounds. Both coffee drinks and energy drinks can contain high amounts of added sugar. Energy drinks can also interact with alcohol and prescription or illicit drugs, causing negative health effects.
Risks of Having Too Much Caffeine
Whether you choose coffee, an energy drink, or another caffeinated drink for your energy boost, it’s important to watch how much caffeine you’re consuming per day. Adults without underlying health conditions should limit their total caffeine intake per day to 400 milligrams. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should stick to half of that limit, or about 200 milligrams. You can always check with your healthcare provider about your individual health status and their recommendations for your caffeine levels.
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