Ex-Pro Bowl DB wins $9.5 million in fraud lawsuit

A former Pro Bowl defensive back won a substantial legal settlement after being defrauded by a former financial adviser.

Reshad Jones, a former safety for the Miami Dolphins, received a $9.5 million settlement in a lawsuit against Merrill Lynch, according to Xuan Thai of ESPN. Jones’ former adviser Isaiah Williams allegedly stole $2.59 million from Jones and used it for personal expenses such as cars, jewelry, and trips.

The lawsuit was settled in August, but the details were not reported until Friday. Williams is facing charges of first-degree organized fraud and first-degree grand theft, both of which are punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He is currently awaiting trial.

A former fifth-round draft pick in 2010, Jones played 10 NFL seasons, all of them with the Dolphins. He started 113 games over the course of his career and had 21 career interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and 2017.

Jones made $56 million during his playing career and at one point had signed a $60 million deal with Miami. His career with the Dolphins came to a rather unceremonious end, and his last NFL season came in 2019.