You do the crime, you’re going to serve some time.
Amit Patel, a former Jacksonville Jaguars employee convicted of embezzling $22 million from the team, has received a 78-month prison sentence. The sentencing took place on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, following Patel’s admission of guilt to wire fraud and illegal money transactions as part of a December plea agreement.
Patel, aged 31, served in his position with the Jaguars from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure, he exploited the team’s virtual credit card system, making unauthorized purchases and concealing them within monthly financial reports.
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According to a detailed investigation by Kalyn Kahler and Katie Strang of The Athletic in December, Patel utilized the embezzled funds for various personal luxuries, including vehicles, a condominium, and a high-end watch valued at over $95,000. Additionally, he invested in cryptocurrency, indulged in lavish travel for himself and others, and retained a criminal defense attorney using the stolen money.
Significantly, Patel allocated a considerable portion of the illicit funds towards daily fantasy sports activities. ESPN reported in February that the Jaguars sought reimbursement from FanDuel for “some or all of the $20 million” Patel expended on the platform. However, FanDuel has displayed reluctance to fulfill the team’s request.
