FORMER ATLANTA FALCONS PLAYER SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN $5.3M PONZI SCHEME, a resident listed in public arrest records, was taken into custody on April 5, 2025, in Featured County, Georgia. According to the official booking report, the arrest was made by local authorities and the subject was charged with the following offense(s): unspecified charges. This incident was officially recorded and made publicly available by law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. The details provided reflect the arrest information at the time of booking and do not indicate guilt or conviction. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Former Atlanta Falcons Linebacker Sentenced for $5.3M Ponzi Scheme
A former NFL linebacker has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of more than $5.3 million.
John Robert Leake, 43, of Plano, Texas, admitted to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering after deceiving six victims between 2015 and 2020. According to prosecutors, Leake solicited millions under the pretense of investing in luxury real estate, gold mining ventures in Ghana and Alaska, and development opportunities in Central America and the Middle East. In reality, he used the funds for gambling and personal expenses.
Leake, who previously played for the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, leveraged personal relationships to gain the trust of his victims, offering promises of high returns from supposedly secure business ventures. He supported his claims with forged documents, including fake contracts and checks, to maintain the appearance of legitimacy.
Investigators revealed that Leake employed classic Ponzi scheme tactics—using funds from new investors to pay off earlier ones and keep suspicions at bay. His largest victim lost $2.8 million in a fake Dubai real estate deal, while another lost $1.7 million in a bogus gold mining project.
The total loss to victims amounted to $5,314,059. U.S. District Judge John F. Walter handed down the sentence on Monday and ordered Leake to pay full restitution.
Leake’s attorney, Evan J. Davis, pointed to his client’s long-standing gambling addiction as the root of the deception, noting that Leake has since sought treatment. After learning of his indictment, Leake entered a Houston-based mental health clinic and joined support groups for gambling and substance abuse recovery.
In a personal letter to the court, Leake expressed remorse, saying he “fell to [his] knees, sobbing” upon realizing the impact of his actions. He told the judge he has deleted all gambling apps, cut ties with bookies, and hopes to use his experience to speak out on addiction and recovery in the future.
Leake was a standout player at Clemson University from 2000 to 2003 and was part of the school’s 2003 Peach Bowl-winning team. He later signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent before spending time with both the Falcons and Packers during the mid-2000s.
Disclaimer: All data provided here is taken from public arrest records. This publication does not imply guilt or final conviction.
More Arrests in Featured on April 5, 2025
No other arrests found on this date in Featured.
