Former Jaguars employee pleads guilty to stealing $22.2 million from team

Amit Patel, the former Jacksonville Jaguars employee accused of stealing millions of dollars from the franchise, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges. He now faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, according to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco.

During a hearing on Thursday, Patel pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction charges after stealing $22.2 million from the Jaguars organization over a span of four years. He allegedly embezzled from the team by “exploiting the organization’s virtual credit card program,” according to a report from The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date.

Patel allegedly used the money to purchase a condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, as well as a new Tesla Model 3 sedan and Nissan pickup truck. The purchases also included cryptocurrency, bets on online gambling sites and chartered personal jets. In total, he pleaded guilty to stealing $22,221,454.40 from the Jaguars over a four-year period.

During the hearing, Patel said he has a “gambling disorder” and is seeing a therapist as part of his treatment. His attorney also said “approximately 99% of the misappropriated funds” were part of gambling losses, most of which occurred on DraftKings and FanDuel, according to ESPN.

In addition, Patel said he went to through treatment for alcohol and substance abuse from March through June earlier this year.

The Jaguars released a statement on the allegations against Amit Patel

After The Athletic’s report, the Jaguars confirmed the allegations in a statement and said the franchise fired Patel earlier this year.

“We can confirm that in February 2023, the team terminated the employment of the individual named in the filing,” the statement read. “Over the past several months we have cooperated fully with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida during their investigation and thank them for their efforts in this case. As was made clear in the charges, this individual was a former manager of financial planning and analysis. Who took advantage of his trusted position to covertly and intentionally commit significant fraudulent financial activity at the team’s expense for personal benefit.

“This individual had no access to confidential football strategy, personnel or other football information. The team engaged experienced law and accounting firms to conduct a comprehensive independent review. Which concluded that no other team employees were involved in or aware of his criminal activity.”

Nick Geddes contributed to this report.