A former employee of the Jacksonville Jaguars is facing federal fraud charges after allegedly stealing over $22 million from the franchise. In a surprising twist, his attorney revealed that the theft was a result of his client’s severe gambling addiction.
According to federal investigators, Amit Patel exploited the Jaguars’ virtual credit card program (VCC), managing to siphon off $22,221,454.40 between September 2019 and February. The scheme came to an end after an NFL investigation and Patel’s subsequent termination.
In a statement released by Patel’s attorney, Alex King, it was revealed that his client used the VCC funds to fuel his gambling addiction on popular platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. Reportedly, approximately 99% of the misappropriated funds were lost through gambling.
King emphasized that the losses were most significant in the months leading up to the NFL’s investigation. He also mentioned that Patel has been undergoing treatment for his gambling addiction since the spring.
FanDuel declined to comment on the case, and ESPN has reached out to DraftKings for their response.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida alleges that Patel used the proceeds from the scheme not only for gambling but also for personal luxuries such as chartered private jets, luxury hotels, a condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, multiple vehicles, sporting event tickets, cryptocurrency, a country club membership, and luxury wristwatches.
However, King clarified that Patel did not use the Jaguars’ VCC to fund his lavish lifestyle. Rather, the attorney claimed that Patel was attempting to pay back his previous gambling losses, which had utilized the Jaguars’ VCC program.
The NFL has a strict policy against gambling for club and league employees, including participation in daily fantasy sports. In a statement to ESPN, NFL spokesperson Alex Reithmiller confirmed that their review found no evidence of inside information being used or any compromise of games.
Court filings reveal that Patel became the sole administrator of the Jaguars’ VCC program in October 2019. This program works as a payment method similar to a traditional credit card account, allowing certain employees to make business-related purchases and expenses. Patel stands accused of duplicating legitimate expenses, inflating amounts of valid transactions, entering fictitious transactions, and diverting the money for personal use.
Having agreed to waive the indictment, Patel is scheduled to make his initial court appearance at a plea hearing in Jacksonville on December 14.
Expressing remorse for his actions, Patel’s attorney stated that his client deeply regrets the consequences both for himself and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He emphasized that Patel remains committed to ongoing treatment for his gambling addiction.
In conclusion, this shocking case highlights the detrimental consequences of addiction and the lengths individuals may go to fuel their destructive habits. As the legal proceedings unfold, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to confront the fallout of this significant theft and consider ways to prevent such incidents in the future.
