Former Hawks coach offered ‘generational wealth’ with investments; people say they never got paid

Former Hawks coach offered ‘generational wealth’ with investments; people say they never got paid
Former Hawks coach offered ‘generational wealth’ with investments; people say they never got paid

Multiple people have accused a former NBA player and Atlanta Hawks assistant coach of persuading them to invest thousands of dollars by promising big returns, only to leave them without paying, according to a Channel 2 Action News investigation.

The alleged victims said Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli ​​Lincoln that Tyrone Hill approached them in social settings and proposed investment opportunities that ultimately did not come to fruition. Several victims say their combined losses exceed $1 million.

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Lincoln spoke with several victims and their attorneys who say Hill lured them with the promise of “‘generational wealth,’ only to leave them with nothing.”

Several victims said Hill initiated contacts at restaurants, lounges or smoking clubs before proposing investments.

“I sat down, had a drink and we started talking about investments,” said Katrina Stuart, one of the alleged victims.

Ashley Madison said Hill told him he owned a company that provided services to airports and encouraged him to invest. Madison said he loaned Hill $35,000 to help run Hill’s grease trap business, EMC Clean Energy LLC, which had been contracted by the city of Atlanta to service restaurants at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Madison said the money has not been returned.

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“As an adult, he asked me to look in a bank account for money he knew I hadn’t sent,” Madison said.

Stuart said he invested $10,000 after Hill promised a return of $16,000 within six months. He said the money never arrived and he later confronted Hill at a warehouse in Forest Park. Stuart said a business associate eventually returned $5,000.

“I just want my money, what he owes me,” Stuart said.

Two women who said they had invested the largest amounts asked Channel 2 not to identify them. One of them filed a lawsuit after Hill allegedly failed to return more than $80,000 from his father’s inheritance. The other said she and a business partner invested more than $1 million and only received $30,000.

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Court records reviewed by Channel 2 show that at least one woman sued Hill for more than $1 million. His attorney said Hill has paid only a fraction of what he owes.

Another alleged victim said Hill has faced multiple civil lawsuits.

“At that point, you’re just standing in line,” one woman said.

Hill denied intentionally misleading investors when contacted by phone.

“I’m not trying to fool anyone,” Hill said. “If things go well, I would pay them.”

Hill also said his company is legitimate and told Channel 2 that disputes over unpaid investments should be handled in court.

His lawyer sent a statement to Channel 2:

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“This matter involves private business disputes that are being addressed through appropriate legal channels. On the advice of attorney Davis Law Group-Trial Attorneys, Mr. Hill will not be providing further comment or interviews at this time.”

City officials told Channel 2 that in 2025 Hill, through one of his companies, was removed as a subcontractor from an airport project for improper grease removal.

Legal experts say cases like this are often handled as civil matters unless prosecutors can prove intent to defraud, meaning the individual never planned to pay back the money. Victims told Channel 2 that they hope speaking publicly will draw the attention of authorities.

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