October 11, 2025
Based on arrest studies, Jones’ former monetary adviser, Isaiah Williams, allegedly exploited the athlete’s accounts with out correct authorization.
Former Miami Dolphins security Reshad Jones has reached a $9.5 million settlement with Merrill Lynch after accusing one of many agency’s former monetary advisers of stealing thousands and thousands from him throughout his NFL profession. The settlement, finalized in August, grew to become public this week.
Based on a June 25 arrest report, Isaiah Williams, Jones’ former monetary adviser, allegedly accessed the athlete’s accounts with out authorization and diverted $1.56 million by way of 133 separate transactions. Investigators additionally acknowledged that Williams funneled an extra $1.03 million by way of a Georgia lady named Octavia Monique Graham as a part of a money-laundering scheme involving financial institution and Money App transfers. Jones informed police he had by no means met Graham.
Court docket filings allege that Williams used the stolen funds for lavish private bills, together with flights, luxurious inns, strip golf equipment, jewellery, autos, and duty-free buying in Mexico. Williams, who as soon as labored for Merrill Lynch, was arrested in Palm Seashore County and charged with a number of counts of organized fraud and grand theft, each first-degree felonies that carry potential 30-year jail sentences. He was launched on $1 million bond and is awaiting trial, based on courtroom information.
The case underscores a rising concern amongst monetary watchdogs concerning the vulnerability {of professional} athletes to monetary exploitation. In a joint assertion supplied to ESPN, Jones’ attorneys, Chase Carlson and Jeff Sonn, described the case as “one other troubling instance of knowledgeable athlete being exploited.”
Merrill Lynch declined to touch upon the settlement.
Information from BrokerCheck, a regulatory database that tracks monetary professionals, present that Jones initially sought $16 million in damages in an arbitration declare in opposition to Merrill Lynch.
Jones, 36, was chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the College of Georgia and spent his whole decade-long profession with the Miami Dolphins. Over 128 video games, together with 113 begins, he earned two Professional Bowl choices and accrued greater than $56 million in profession earnings.
The previous security has largely stayed out of the highlight since retiring from the NFL in 2020, however his case highlights the continuing dangers athletes face when managing multimillion-dollar fortunes — and the vital significance of oversight throughout the monetary advisory business.
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