October 11, 2025
In keeping with arrest stories, 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, turned public this week.
In keeping with 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 via 133 separate transactions. Investigators additionally said that Williams funneled a further $1.03 million via a Georgia lady named Octavia Monique Graham as a part of a money-laundering scheme involving financial institution and Money App transfers. Jones instructed police he had by no means met Graham.
Courtroom filings allege that Williams used the stolen funds for lavish private bills, together with flights, luxurious accommodations, strip golf equipment, jewellery, autos, and duty-free procuring in Mexico. Williams, who as soon as labored for Merrill Lynch, was arrested in Palm Seaside 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, in response to court docket information.
The case underscores a rising concern amongst monetary watchdogs in regards to the vulnerability {of professional} athletes to monetary exploitation. In a joint assertion offered to ESPN, Jones’ attorneys, Chase Carlson and Jeff Sonn, described the case as “one other troubling instance of an expert 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 towards Merrill Lynch.
Jones, 36, was chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the College of Georgia and spent his total decade-long profession with the Miami Dolphins. Over 128 video games, together with 113 begins, he earned two Professional Bowl choices and amassed 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 continued dangers athletes face when managing multimillion-dollar fortunes — and the important significance of oversight throughout the monetary advisory trade.
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