Former Miami Dolphins security Reshad Jones was scammed out of $2.58 million {dollars} in a grand theft and cash laundering scheme, Local 10 News reports. Former monetary advisor Isaiah Williams allegedly abused his entry to Jones’ private checking account, and with the assistance of 49-year-old Octavia Graham, stole tens of millions of {dollars} to repay his bank cards and fund a lavish way of life.
Police mentioned Williams stole roughly $1.58 million throughout 133 wire transfers from Jones’ account between January 2022 and March 2024. In accordance with court docket data, Williams used the cash to cowl first-class airline tickets, lodge stays, nightclub and strip membership tabs, automobile leases, clothes, jewellery, authorized charges and youngster help. He additionally went on buying sprees in Mexico.
Jones, a two-time Professional Bowl participant who spent his whole profession with the Dolphins, additionally misplaced a further $1.03 million between October 2019 and September 2021. Police mentioned Graham helped launder cash from Jones’ account. Graham despatched $435,000 to Williams throughout 16 handwritten checks and one other $184,000 over 88 Zelle transfers.
“That is one more troubling instance of knowledgeable athlete being exploited by a wealth administration agency he trusted,” Jones’ attorneys said in a statement. “On this case, the wrongdoer was a Vice President at one of many world’s largest monetary establishments — Financial institution of America’s funding administration division, Merrill Lynch. We’ve filed a lawsuit to carry Merrill Lynch accountable and are working to get better all damages our consumer has suffered.”
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Graham turned herself into police this week and faces two counts of cash laundering and one rely of first-degree grand theft. She appeared in court docket on Friday, and a decide set her bond at $75,000 and ordered her to not contact Jones or Williams. She will likely be arraigned on July 7. Williams, who’s now not employed by Merrill, has not been arrested.
“At any time when we study of potential wrongdoing, we promptly examine, absolutely cooperate with regulators and legislation enforcement, and work with the consumer to compensate them for any hurt brought on by an worker,” a Merrill spokesman mentioned to CBS Sports activities. “Placing purchasers first and defending consumer property have been guiding rules of Merrill since our founding greater than 100 years in the past.”
The losses are a big amount of cash within the context of Jones’ NFL earnings, as he made simply over $2 million in his ultimate season with the Dolphins, per Spotrac. Jones hauled in $58 million throughout his 11-year profession, wherein he starred as one of many high defenders on the Miami roster.
Jones accrued 776 profession tackles, 10.5 sacks and 21 interceptions all through his stellar profession. The fifth-round choose within the 2010 NFL Draft earned a spot within the 2015 and 2017 Professional Bowls, and in each of these campaigns he led the league in defensive touchdowns. His two choose sixes in 2015 had been an NFL-best, and his two fumble return touchdowns paced the league in 2017.
